Why everyone in Italy is falling in love with Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic’s career has taken a dramatic turn for the better. Our ‘Captain America’ has earned the respect of the entire football world through sheer determination and hard work.

The great news - his outstanding form in Milan has translated seamlessly to the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT), and when Mauricio Pochettino called on him, the captain answered. Against Panama, he provided the assist for Yunus Musah’s goal, but his impact goes well beyond his performances on the pitch. In Italy, he is on the verge of solidifying his place as one of the leading figures in Serie A, and the expectations for him with the USMNT are even higher.

Pulisic arrived at the USMNT Austin camp in stellar form, having scored four goals in four consecutive Serie A matches—a clear sign of his resurgence at Milan. Last season, he started strong, and this year, he’s become a key player for manager Paulo Fonseca. Since his arrival, no player in Italy’s top flight has been involved in more goals (21 goals and 12 assists) than Pulisic—not even stars like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lautaro Martínez, or his Milan teammate Rafael Leão, who have earned their places among the elite in Serie A.

Pulisic - an outstanding player

“He’s an outstanding player, one of the best attacking talents in the world. At Milan, he’s playing every minute, and we’re concerned. We need to protect him,” Pochettino remarked about his star player. Concerns about Pulisic’s workload are legitimate. Last year, he logged over 4,000 minutes between club and country, a heavy load for a player who initially came in as a backup for Leão—a situation that seemed nearly impossible during his time in the Premier League.

All change from Pulisic’s time at Chelsea

At Chelsea, injuries hampered Pulisic’s career to the point of nearly derailing it. His lack of consistency and limited time on the pitch left him at rock bottom. Pulisic needed a change—a chance to rediscover himself in order to become once again that wonderkid who dazzled at Borussia Dortmund. In London, he appeared lost, without spark or energy, a shadow of his true self. His highlights were more about mistakes—some glaring—than moments of brilliance. A reset was vital. Now, he’s grateful for all the hardship.

“I think there are moments in your career when everything you touch seems to go in, and then there are times when you try everything, and the ball just won’t find the net. As an attacking player, we’ve all been through that. So, I’m just trying to enjoy this moment when things are going well and keep it going. It’s the result of all the work I’ve put in over the years, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. I know I have this ability, and I’m going to make the most of it,” the Milan star reflected.

Original article by Eduardo Burgos, translated with the help of AI and edited by David Nelson.