AC Milan star Christian Pulisic has responded to the idea that the club signed him to sell shirts, looking ahead to the World Cup too.
The year 2026 has not been kind to Pulisic so far. He went from being the leading scorer at Milan in 2025-26 and a potential candidate to lift the Capocannoniere (Serie A top scorer) trophy to being without a goal since December 28.
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There are always a variety of factors that feed into a drop in form, but the team around him haven’t played at their level either. The Rossoneri are jeopardising their chances of getting back into the Champions League after a run of two wins in eight, with the attack and defence both now struggling.
Pulisic: ‘That’s why I play’
Pulisic missed the loss to Atalanta but should be back against Genoa. He was interviewed by the magazine Time and he spoke about a number of different topics ahead of the upcoming home World Cup, including his time at Milan.
You live far from the city centre…
“It’s how I stay focused.”
You scored a goal at the 2022 World Cup…
“My eyes lit up. That’s what makes history.”
What is your style of play?
“Going towards goal, creating offensive plays. For me, that’s why I play. Obviously, you also have to take care of everything else, defending and running, different things. That’s fine. But what gives me joy and enthusiasm is creating chances, scoring, and finishing.”
What is your approach to training?
“I have a very specific way of thinking about performance, and I’ve always wanted to be closer to the training ground, because that’s my job, that’s what I do every single day. It’s helped me in many ways. Sometimes it’s even made me unhappy.”
Your personal life has been in the spotlight, after the split with Alexa Melton…
“I only see her in an extremely positive light. She was very funny and supported me in every way. She wanted to encourage me to enjoy life a little more, to do things with her and to do things in general. And I’m grateful for that.”
What was your time in the Bundesliga like?
“It seems amazing to be a professional soccer player, it’s all I’ve ever wanted, but the idea of actually doing it terrified me. I was really scared. It was the hardest year of my life. You start thinking more and more, ‘Wow, these kids don’t really want me to succeed.’
“No one at my school ever talked about European soccer. It was like, ‘The World Cup is coming up. We can cheer for the United States.’ So for me, that was everything. You learn patience, you learn that your time will come. Life goes on.”
And then you moved to Chelsea…
“When people say it wasn’t a successful period, it intrigues me, because I think that’s how everyone’s career goes. It’s not a career that’s constantly on the rise.”
Some speculated that Milan signed you to sell shirts, as a marketing ploy…
“I didn’t think much and I didn’t listen to instructions of any kind. I just thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to take a chance’.”
Is there prejudice against Americans in soccer?
“I like to think I’ve contributed to this change in many ways.”
How did it feel missing the Gold Cup with the national team? And the World Cup is approaching…
“That period was difficult for me, because normally I can silence everyone with my play. That’s what I’ve done my entire career. I was in the offseason, so people were only talking about me, and I couldn’t just go and score and shut them up.
“Ultimately, if we go to the World Cup and have a good World Cup, everything will be forgotten. Everyone will talk about how good we’ll be. That’s the way it is. I’m going to score. It doesn’t bother me, man.
“Past World Cup successes definitely relax me, in a way. But then the next big games will come, and I’ll still be the same. I just hope to be a little less obnoxious, if nothing else.
“But I can sit in bed at night and imagine myself lifting the World Cup trophy. I did that as a kid. I’m not going to stop. You have to believe in it. Why not?”
