Christian Pulisic's goal drought hits record length at AC Milan
AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic is enduring the longest goal drought of his time at the club, having now gone over 90 days without finding the net. The American's last goal came in a 1-0 win over Hellas Verona on December 28. His recent struggles continued during the international break, where he failed to score in two matches for the United States and was stripped of the captain's armband by coach Gregg Berhalter.
Pulisic acknowledged his difficult period after a heavy 5-2 defeat to Belgium, a match featuring his Milan teammate Alexis Saelemaekers. "I'm disappointed, I have to convert my chances," Pulisic said. "In certain moments, I undoubtedly expect to do better." He missed a significant opportunity in that match, with US interim coach Mauricio Pochettino noting it was a "gigantic chance" that could have changed the game. Pulisic was then an unused substitute in the first half of a subsequent 2-0 loss to Portugal before playing the second 45 minutes.
The 27-year-old arrived at Milan from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for a fee reported to be around 20 million euros and enjoyed a prolific start to his Serie A career, scoring six goals in his first 15 league appearances. His form made him a pivotal figure in Stefano Pioli's attack alongside Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud. This current dry spell, however, represents a significant dip for a player expected to be a primary source of creativity and goals for the Rossoneri.
The club now hopes Pulisic can rediscover his scoring touch in a familiar setting. His next opportunity comes against Napoli at San Siro, a fixture in which he was decisive earlier this season. In Milan's 2-1 away victory in October, Pulisic scored the opening goal and provided the assist for Saelemaekers' winner. A similar performance would help alleviate growing concerns about his productivity in the final third as Milan pursues a top-four finish in Serie A.
Pulisic's situation is compounded by his changed status with the US national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil. Losing the captaincy, even temporarily, adds another layer of frustration for the player often seen as the face of American soccer. Despite this, he has attempted to remain positive, stating he feels physically good and is creating chances. "I know at some point the ball will hit my knee and go in, and then everything will change," Pulisic said. "Better now than in the summer." For Milan, his return to form is seen as crucial for their ambitions in the final stretch of the season.
