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American national football team star Christian Pulisic’s decision to jump the Gold Cup has turned into a great debate this summer, but he has not faltered about his decision.
Pulisic spoke with CBS Sports Golazo Networks “Call It What You Want,” his first interview since the decision to explain why he has no regret over the decision.
More importantly, he also called those who asked his commitment to the country “way out of the line.”
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Christian Pulisic from the United States responds as he leaves the field after losing Conmebol Copa America USA 2024 Group C match between Panama and the United States at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Former American football star Landon Donovan was among those who thought Pulisic’s decision was not a good decision.
“This is what it means to represent your country. [Ronaldo’s] 40 years old. He has played a long-A-season. He’s tired. He is out there sanding injured himself in the process. And I can’t help but think of some of our guys on vacation and don’t want to play in the Gold Cup. It’s P — ing me of me, “Donovan said on the Fox broadcast of the UEFA Nations League title that Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal won.
While not naming Donovan, Pulisic fired back at his haters for the decision.
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“You can talk about my performances, no matter what you want. But to question my commitment, especially to the national stroke, in my opinion, it’s the way out of the line,” he said.
“I just don’t understand why so many people are so great to just want to give out these things when they have been through hard moments themselves. I don’t understand the idea of wanting to share this fanbase and bring a negative light on it in any way. But we tend to do a lot.”
Pulisic said his decision came after hearing his body towards the end of his season with AC Milan.
“My body just started talking to me and my mind,” he explained. “And I started thinking, ‘what will be best for me that leads into next year and enters the World Cup?’ And should it play eight games more and then not rest at all, go straight into the forecast and grind another season and go straight into the World Cup?
Christian Pulisic from the United States of America full time by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round with 16 matches between the Netherlands and the United States at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (James Williamson – Ama/Getty Images)
“I had to make the best decision for myself and also on the long run for my team.”
Pulisic added that he asked the US national team coaches if he could play in the two friendly matches against Türkiye and Switzerland, which was intended as warm -ups before the Gold Cup. The staff told him no, with Pulisic, who said they would have “a list” for the friendly and Gold Cup.
“I’m fully respecting it,” Pulisic added. “I didn’t understand it, but that’s what it is.”
Pulisic said it’s hard to hear criticism from former players, especially when he revealed that some of them “will definitely show support and be your friend and everything. And then they say something a little different in public.”
“I looked up to the guys who grew up,” he said. “Some of these guys were my idols. I respect them as much as players.”
The United States of America Fremad Christian Pulisic, No. 10, responds to Panama during the second half of a Concacaf Nations League semi -final match at Sofi Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Concea-Published Pictures)
Pulisic, who had 11 goals and nine assists in 34 games for AC Milan in the last season, had a goal and two assists in the team’s four World Cup matches in 2022.
He also had a goal and an assist in three matches to Team USA in 2024.
