Christian Pulisic scored his first goal in five months during the United States’ 3-2 friendly victory over Senegal in Charlotte, but his reaction following the goal has sparked discussion regarding his form and future at AC Milan. The forward appeared visibly frustrated after scoring, offering little in the way of celebration, and later made pointed remarks in a post-match interview.
Pulisic expressed frustration with the focus on goalscoring, stating, “I’ve been playing really well over the last few months, but it seems like all anyone cares about is goals. So I hope people will stop talking about it now.” This comment comes after a prolonged period without a goal, dating back to December 28th, and follows a season with Milan where his overall contribution was questioned despite moments of bright play.
United States manager, and potential AC Milan candidate, Mauricio Pochettino was pleased to see Pulisic find the net, commenting that it was important for a player preparing for the World Cup. However, Pochettino has already confirmed that Tim Ream will remain captain of the national team at the World Cup, a role previously held by Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America.” The possibility of Pochettino taking over at Milan adds another layer of complexity to Pulisic’s situation.
The 2023-24 season with Milan saw Pulisic struggle for consistent form, despite the arrival of several new attacking players. While he showed flashes of his ability, particularly in the early stages of the campaign, he often found himself operating within a tactical system under Stefano Pioli where he did not fully thrive. Pioli himself publicly acknowledged the difficulties Pulisic faced in adapting to the team’s setup. Pulisic scored a goal and provided an assist against Senegal while playing as a left winger, a position that may suit his skillset.
Furthermore, Pulisic’s contract with Milan is set to expire in 2027, and the club’s current financial difficulties mean that contract renewal talks have stalled. No progress is expected on this front until after the World Cup, leaving Pulisic’s long-term future at the San Siro uncertain. The player is known to be ambitious, and the absence of Champions League football next season may also factor into his thinking.
