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Entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the darling of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), the public has done a 180 on Christian Pulisic.
The 27-year-old AC Milan star has been the face of USA soccer since at least the turn of the decade, but the fact is that he was a major disappointment throughout the tournament.
Sure, it did not help that he re-aggravated a calf injury in the opener, which led to him missing the equivalent of roughly two full games, but even when he was on the pitch, he did not make much of a difference. Pulisic then rolled his ankle in the Round of 16 and was subbed out in the second half.
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Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts after Belgium’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Following the match, Pulisic said he could now “get some rest,” which did not go over well with Americans. That prompted USMNT legend Tim Howard to give him some obvious advice.
“I hope for his sake he isn’t 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 holiday…. What I would say about him is when someone shows you who they are, you believe them. I think he’s a nice footballer. I still think he’s the best player on the team. Outside of that, you’d have to ask me very direct questions to which I could give you very direct answers,” he said.
Carli Lloyd, a former United States Women’s National Team star, was also critical of Pulisic.
Christian Pulisic of the United States is consoled by Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, after being substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)
“You rest when your playing career is over. Period.”
Prior to the World Cup, Pulisic said the event was “just another big tournament,” which also prompted backlash.
After the loss, Pulisic said he was “disappointed” in himself but thought he and his team did “good things.”
“I felt really good this summer with the guys and I thought my level was high,” Pulisic said. “Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team.”
Christian Pulisic of the United States shows dejection after Belgium’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between the USA 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 by the time the next World Cup rolls around in 2030 in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
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