Black Stars and Los Angeles Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil is taking a positive view of missing several games due to a hamstring injury.

In a post-game interview following the Galaxy’s 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers in a Major League Soccer (MLS) match, Paintsil discussed his injury with an optimistic outlook, having scored a goal and provided two assists in the victory.

“I think the injury taught me a lesson because I needed to relax. I was playing a lot of games, almost a half-season in Genk, and continued the following season here. The rest helped me, because otherwise, my body would be really down, and I might have multiple injuries. I am really happy with the level I am at now,” Paintsil said.

Paintsil’s performance against Portland matched his production in the previous game against the Colorado Rapids, which also ended in a 3-2 win for the Galaxy.

The hamstring injury forced Paintsil to miss Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.