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Entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the favorite of the United States Men’s National Team, the public has done a 180-degree turn on Christian Pulisic.
The 27-year-old AC Milan star has been the face of American soccer since at least the turn of the decade, but the fact remains that he was a major disappointment throughout the tournament.
Sure, it didn’t help that he re-aggravated a calf injury in the first game, leading him to miss the equivalent of roughly two full games, but even when he was on the field, it didn’t make much of a difference. Pulisic then sprained his ankle in the round of 16 and was substituted in the second half.
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Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts after Belgium’s third goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
After the match, Pulisic said he could now “rest a little”, which did not go down well with the Americans. That led USMNT legend Tim Howard to give him some obvious advice.
“I hope for his sake that he’s not on social media for the foreseeable future,” he said on his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast with Landon Donovan, followed by a cryptic comment.
“He deserves a rest. Go on vacation… What I would say about him is that when someone shows you who he is, you believe him. I think he is a good footballer. I still think he is the best player on the team. Outside of that, you would have to ask me very direct questions to which I could give you very direct answers,” he said.
Former US women’s national team star Carli Lloyd also criticized Pulisic.
Christian Pulisic of the United States is consoled by Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, after being substituted during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)
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“You rest when your playing career ends. Period.”
Before the World Cup, Pulisic said the event was “just another big tournament”, which also sparked backlash.
After the loss, Pulisic said he was “disappointed” in himself but thought he and his team did “good things.”
“I felt very good this summer with the boys and I thought my level was high,” Pulisic said. “Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t have the moments I was hoping for and I tried to help us push ourselves and get through this next step of beating a really good team.”
Christian Pulisic of the United States shows dejection after Belgium’s second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Pulisic has just one goal in nine career World Cup games. He will be 31 years old when the next World Cup arrives in 2030 in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
