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Entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the darling of the United States men’s national team, the public did a 180 on Christian Pulisic.
The 27-year-old AC Milan star has been the face of American soccer since at least the start of the decade, but the fact is he has been a major disappointment throughout the tournament.
Of course, it didn’t help that he re-aggravated a calf injury in the first game, causing him to miss 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 was replaced 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”, which did not go down well with the Americans. This prompted 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 in the team. Apart from that, you would have to ask me very direct questions to which I could give you very direct answers,” he said.
Carli Lloyd, a former star of the United States women’s national team, also criticized Pulisic.
American Christian Pulisic 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, July 6, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)
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“You rest when your playing career is over. Period.”
Before the World Cup, Pulisic said the event was “just another big tournament”, which also sparked backlash.
After the defeat, Pulisic said he was “disappointed” with himself but thought he and his team had done “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 really have the moments that I was hoping for and trying to help us really push and take that next step of beating a really good team.”
Christian Pulisic of the United States shows his 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 only one goal in nine career World Cup matches. He will be 31 years old at the next World Cup in 2030 in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
