Honestly, we need to stop talking about Christian Pulisic like he’s still that 17-year-old kid with the braces. You know the one—the kid from Hershey who was supposed to "save" American soccer.
He's 27 now.
Think about that. The "Wonderboy" era is officially over, and what we’re left with is something way more interesting: a grizzled, elite Serie A veteran who is currently carrying the US Soccer Christian Pulisic mantle into a home World Cup.
But here’s the thing. Most people are still stuck on his Chelsea days. They remember the injuries and the bench-warming under Tuchel. They think he’s "fine" but maybe didn't live up to the impossible hype.
They’re wrong.
The AC Milan Rebirth: More Than Just a Purple Patch
If you haven't been watching AC Milan lately, you're missing the best version of Pulisic we’ve ever seen. Period.
Last season, he didn't just play; he dominated. He put up 12 goals and 8 assists in Serie A alone. That wasn't a fluke. Fast forward to the current 2025/2026 campaign, and he’s leading the Golden Boot race in Italy. Yeah, you read that right. As of late 2025, he was neck-and-neck with Lautaro Martínez.
He’s currently valued at roughly €60-70 million again. That’s basically a full recovery of the market value he lost during those frustrating final years in London.
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Why the change?
It’s the fit. At Chelsea, he was a "cog." At Milan, under the bright lights of the San Siro, he’s the "engine." He’s playing mostly on the right wing but drifting inside like a seasoned playmaker. He’s smarter now. He isn’t just sprinting into blind alleys anymore; he’s finding pockets of space that didn't exist two years ago.
Plus, having Luka Modric join him at Milan this season? That’s changed his game. You can see the influence in how Pulisic moves off the ball. It’s more economical. More lethal.
The Pochettino Factor and the 2026 Reality
Now, let’s talk about the US Soccer Christian Pulisic dynamic with the national team. Everything changed when Mauricio Pochettino took the reins.
Poch isn't playing games.
He’s already rotated through over 70 players, sending a clear message: nobody is safe. Not even the captain. In November 2025, Pochettino actually left Pulisic out of the squad for big wins against Paraguay and Uruguay.
People panicked. Was he dropped? Was there beef?
Nah. It was pure management. Pochettino is obsessed with having Pulisic fit for June 2026. He’s essentially "load managing" the biggest star in American history to ensure he doesn't arrive at the World Cup on crutches.
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The Injury Elephant in the Room
We have to be real about the health stuff. Pulisic's hamstrings are basically a national security concern at this point.
Even in this "golden" year at Milan, he’s had setbacks. A muscle strain kept him out of a huge match against Lazio in December 2025. He’s missed about five games this season due to various knocks.
But here’s the difference: he’s returning from these injuries and scoring immediately. Like, literally. Against Torino in December, he came off the bed after a fever, entered the game as a sub, and scored twice in ten minutes.
That’s not the "fragile" Pulisic. That’s a guy who knows how to manage his body.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About His "Legacy"
There’s this weird segment of US fans who think Pulisic "failed" in Europe because he didn't become Eden Hazard.
Let's look at the actual resume:
- Youngest USMNT captain in the modern era.
- First American to play in and win a UEFA Champions League final (and he actually contributed, he didn't just ride the bench).
- Three-time US Soccer Male Player of the Year.
- Leading scorer for one of the top three teams in Italy.
If that’s "failure," every other American player in history would kill for it.
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The US Soccer Christian Pulisic story isn't about him becoming the best player in the world. It's about him being the first American who is genuinely respected as a top-tier peer in the elite European locker rooms. When he speaks in that Milan locker room, guys like Rafael Leão and Theo Hernandez listen.
The Road to the 2026 World Cup
The draw is out. Group D.
- June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (SoFi Stadium, LA)
- June 19: USA vs. Australia (Lumen Field, Seattle)
- June 25: USA vs. [TBD UEFA Team] (SoFi Stadium, LA)
This is the gauntlet. And with Tyler Adams currently fighting back from a serious knee injury, the weight on Pulisic’s shoulders has doubled. He’s not just the finisher anymore; he’s the emotional heartbeat of a team that is currently ranked 14th in the world but playing like a top-10 side.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Cycle
If you're following the USMNT path to the World Cup, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Minutes, Not Just the Goals: If Pulisic is subbed off at the 60th minute in a Serie A game, don't assume he's hurt. Milan and the USSF are in constant communication. They are aiming for 2,500 minutes this season, not 4,000.
- The "Poch" System: Expect Pulisic to play more as a #10 or an inverted winger. Pochettino wants him closer to the goal, not hugging the touchline.
- The Commercial Boom: If you want a jersey, buy it now. Since he joined Milan, sales in the US spiked 400%. By the time the World Cup kicks off in June 2026, finding an authentic Pulisic kit will be like trying to find a Taylor Swift ticket.
The bottom line is simple. We’ve spent a decade waiting for Christian Pulisic to arrive. Well, look around. He’s here. He’s in his prime. And for the first time in his career, he looks like a man who actually enjoys the pressure instead of just surviving it.
To keep track of Pulisic's fitness and form leading into the June 12 opener in Los Angeles, monitor his midweek Champions League minutes closely. His availability in those high-intensity European matches is the best predictor of whether he'll be "tournament-ready" when the USMNT gathers for its final pre-World Cup camp in May.