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Entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the darling of the US men’s national team, the public has done a 180 on Christian Pulisic.
The 27-year-old AC Milan star has been the face of American football since at least the turn of the decade, but the fact is that he was a huge disappointment throughout the tournament.
Sure, it didn’t help that he re-aggravated a calf injury in the opener, which led to him missing the equivalent of about two full games, but even when he was on the field, he didn’t make much of a difference. Pulisic then rolled his ankle in the round of 16 and sat out 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 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 “get some rest”, which did not go well for the Americans. That prompted USMNT legend Tim Howard to give him some obvious advice.
“I hope for his sake he’s not on social media for the foreseeable future,” he said on his “Unfiltered Football” 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 in them. I think he’s a nice footballer. I still think he’s the best player in the team. Other than that, you’d have to ask me very direct questions that I could give you very direct answers to,” he said.
Carli Lloyd, a former star for the US women’s national team, was also critical of Pulisic.
Christian Pulisic of the United States is comforted by Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, after being substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 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 is over. Period.”
Ahead of the World Cup, Pulisic said the event was “just another big tournament”, which also drew backlash.
After the loss, Pulisic said he was “disappointed” in himself but believed he and his team did “good things”.
“I had a really good time this summer with the boys and I thought my level was high,” Pulisic said. “Yeah, it’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping for and to try to help us really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team.”
Christian Pulisic of the United States looks dejected after Belgium’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 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 only one goal in his nine career World Cup games. He will be 31 when the next World Cup rolls around in 2030 in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
