Pulisic Misses Preseason Games Due to Ankle Injury
Christian Pulisic’s preparations for the new Serie A season have been hampered by an ankle injury that has caused him to miss recent preseason friendlies. The AC Milan star was substituted at halftime during a match against Liverpool in Hong Kong after suffering the knock. The injury subsequently kept him out of AC Milan’s other preseason games, including a matchup against Leeds United and a highly anticipated return to Stamford Bridge to face his former club, Chelsea. The cautious approach by AC Milan’s new coach, Massimiliano Allegri, highlights the club’s desire to ensure their key player is fully fit for the start of the competitive season. The absence from these games, particularly the one against Chelsea, was disappointing for fans hoping to see him back on his old stomping grounds.
A Strong 2024-25 Season and a Glimpse into the Future
Christian Pulisic’s 2024-25 season was marked by a significant personal milestone. With his appearance in AC Milan’s final Serie A match against Monza, he reached 100 total matches played for the club across all competitions. This achievement underscored his consistency and versatility for the Rossoneri. On the other hand, he fell just shy of matching two personal records, finishing the season with 11 goals and nine assists. This put him just one goal and two goal contributions short of his career-best marks. Despite the minor disappointment, his strong individual performance throughout the season has been a bright spot for the team. With the new season on the horizon, Pulisic has spoken about his ambitions to achieve “bigger and better” things and his excitement to work with new manager Massimiliano Allegri, who is looking to instill a fresh mentality into the squad.
Transfer Speculation and Pulisic’s Commitment to Milan
Despite a less than stellar team performance last season, Christian Pulisic has been a subject of transfer rumors, though he has reportedly turned down a lucrative offer. According to sources, Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr showed interest in the American star, with a potential chance to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Pulisic is said to be “very happy” at Milan and has no interest in leaving the club. Pulisic has been in talks with AC Milan regarding a contract extension that would keep him at the club until 2029 with a significant pay raise. While the new contract has not yet been signed, his commitment to the team is clear. The club is actively making moves to strengthen the squad, with transfer talks for players like Rasmus Hojlund and Dusan Vlahovic, which further signals their ambition to compete at the highest level.
USMNT and a New Chapter with a New Coach
Christian Pulisic’s role with the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) has also been a topic of discussion in recent months. The team has a new coach, Mauricio Pochettino, who has been publicly responding to comments Pulisic made regarding his absence from the Concacaf Gold Cup. The situation sparked a debate among pundits like Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas about the importance of having team leaders present for international tournaments. Pulisic, for his part, has defended his decision to miss the Gold Cup, stating that he offered to play in the pre-tournament friendlies and felt the criticism was “out of line.” With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, Pulisic’s relationship with the new national team coach and his leadership role on the squad will be a crucial storyline to follow.
