Pulisic played for the United States atunder-15 andunder-17 levels, before making his senior national team debut in March 2016 at age 17. He became the youngest player ever to captain the United States national team at age 20.[17] At theCONCACAF Gold Cup, Pulisic was named the best young player of the2019 tournament. He won theCONCACAF Nations League in2021,2023 and2024, winning the best player award of the 2023 tournament. Individually, he is tied withLandon Donovan for the record of fourU.S. Player of the Year awards and is his country's fifth-highestall-time leading goalscorer. He has been widely viewed as the "face" ofAmerican soccer.[18]
While his mother was on a teacher exchange in England through theFulbright Program, Pulisic lived for a year inTackley,Oxfordshire.[4] At age seven, he began playing for the youth team ofBrackley Town.[4] When his father was general manager of indoor clubDetroit Ignition in the mid-2000s, Pulisic lived in Michigan and played for Michigan Rush. While in Michigan, he attendedWorkman Elementary School.[23]
After the family returned to the Hershey area, Pulisic grew up playing for localU.S. Soccer Development Academy club PA Classics and occasionally training with local professional club Harrisburg City Islanders, now known asPenn FC, during his teen years. In the summer of 2010, he went on a five-day trial atChelsea'sCobham base.[24]
Pulisic moved to Germany before his 16th birthday. He became eligible because, as his grandfather was Croatian, he could get a European passport and play starting at age 16 rather than 18. He initially had issues getting the passport, but it eventually panned out.[25]
In February 2015,Borussia Dortmund signed 17-year-old Pulisic and assigned him first to their U17 squad, winning theUnder 17 Bundesliga in 2014–15. He was immediately promoted in summer 2015 to the U19 squad and won theUnder 19 Bundesliga for the 2015–16 season.[26] After scoring 10 goals and assisting 8 in just 15 games with theDortmund youth teams,[27] Pulisic was called to join the first team over winter break.[28]
In January 2016, while with the first team in the winter break, Pulisic played the second half of two friendly matches, scoring one goal and assisting another.[29] On January 24, a day after making his debut on the first team bench, Pulisic played 90 minutes in a friendly againstUnion Berlin, scoring a goal and assisting another.[30] He made his Bundesliga debut in a 2–0 win againstIngolstadt on January 30, 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute forAdrián Ramos.[31] On February 18, Pulisic made hisUEFA Europa League debut as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 victory againstPorto.[32]
Pulisic made his firstBundesliga start on February 21, againstBayer Leverkusen, before eventually being substituted forMarco Reus. He made his second Bundesliga start on April 10, againstSchalke 04 in theRevierderby, playing 73 minutes before being replaced byİlkay Gündoğan. In response to Pulisic's performance against Schalke, team managerThomas Tuchel said, "He's a teenager in his first year of professional football. His first two games in the starting eleven were in Leverkusen and here today in Schalke – not the easiest of tasks. It shows our huge appreciation that we see him as a full time player on our team. He was a valuable substitute againstWerder Bremen andLiverpool. He has looked really good recently which has been proved today. It is completely normal that he could not have played with this pace and this intensity for over 90 minutes."[33]
Pulisic scored his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia Dortmund on April 17, opening the scoring in a 3–0 home win againstHamburg. It made him the youngest non-German and fourth-youngest player to score a goal in the Bundesliga, at 17 years and 212 days old.[34] With his goal againstVfB Stuttgart on April 23, Pulisic broke another Bundesliga scoring record by becoming the youngest player to score two goals in the top-flight league. The game also marked his firstyellow card in the Bundesliga, as a result of a challenge onEmiliano Insúa.[35]
In the2016 International Champions Cup friendly pre-season tournament, Pulisic scored in stoppage time againstManchester City to send the clubs intopenalties.[36] During his first competitive appearance in his second year with the club, Pulisic became Dortmund's youngest player ever to play in theUEFA Champions League.[37] The following weekend he scored his first goal of the season and provided two assists in a 6–0 victory againstDarmstadt 98,[38] one day before his 18th birthday.
In a SeptemberChampions Leaguegroup stage game againstReal Madrid, with Dortmund trailing 2–1, Pulisic came on as a second-half substitute and helped set upAndré Schürrle's late goal, allowing Dortmund to earn a 2–2 draw.[39] In a substitute appearance on October 22, Pulisic assisted one goal and scored the equalizer against Ingolstadt 04, who were last place at the beginning of the day, to salvage a draw, coming back from 3–1 down.[40]
On January 23, 2017, Pulisic signed a new deal with Dortmund which would keep him at the club until 2020.[41][42] On March 8, 2017, Pulisic scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 4–0 victory overBenfica in the round of 16, making him Dortmund's youngest ever scorer in the competition at the age of 18 years, 5 months, and 18 days.[43] He was a victim of theBorussia Dortmund team bus bombing in April 2017, and was among his teammates who testified in 2019.[44]
Pulisic was on the final shortlist of the 2017Golden Boy award, finishing 6th.[47] In the following year, he was nominated final shortlist of the inauguralKopa Trophy, finishing runner-up toKylian Mbappé during the2018 ceremony.[48][13]
On January 2, 2019, Pulisic signed withPremier League clubChelsea for an estimated £58 million transfer fee. The deal also saw him stay at Dortmund onloan for the remainder of the2018–19 season.[49] This transfer made Pulisic themost expensive American player and Borussia Dortmund's second most expensive sale of all time, behindOusmane Dembélé.[50] Upon his arrival in the summer, he spoke of his desire to replicate the form shown byEden Hazard and described the forward as a soccer idol.[51][52]
2019–20: Debut season and Premier League breakthrough
Pulisic (pictured withJamie Vardy) during a Premier League game againstLeicester City in August 2019
On August 11, 2019, Pulisic made his Premier League debut for Chelsea in a 4–0 defeat toManchester United.[53] Pulisic scored his first goals for Chelsea on October 26, 2019, completing a"perfect" hat-trick in a 4–2 away win againstBurnley. The hat-trick was the first of his career, and he became the second American to achieve the feat in the Premier League afterClint Dempsey forFulham in 2012, as well as the youngest hat-trick scorer in Chelsea's history at the age of 21 years and 38 days.[54][55] He also became the first Chelsea player to score a perfect hat trick sinceDidier Drogba in 2010.[56] Pulisic scored in his next two league outings, a 2–1 away victory againstWatford[57] and a 2–0 home win overCrystal Palace.[58]
On October 23, 2019, during a Champions League match againstAjax, Pulisic played as a substitute and assistedMichy Batshuayi's late goal 1–0 win. The Belgium striker thumped home fellow substitute Pulisic's low cross with just four minutes remaining atJohan Cruyff Arena to earn the Blues back to back away wins in the competition.[59] He scored his firstChampions League goal for Chelsea in a 2–2 draw away toValencia on November 27.[60]
When thePremier League fixtures resumed after the lockdown due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, Pulisic had recovered from injury and came off the bench to score the equalizer in Chelsea's 2–1 win againstAston Villa on June 21, 2020.[61] In the following match, Pulisic scored the first goal in Chelsea's 2–1 victory overManchester City, a result that eliminated the second-placed City from title contention and confirmed Liverpool as Premier League champions.[62] On July 22, Pulisic scored a goal in a 3–5 defeat to Liverpool.[63]
On August 1, he scored the opening goal in the2020 FA Cup Final againstArsenal after five minutes, becoming the first American player to score in the final of the competition, but was substituted early in the second half after sustaining ahamstring injury. Arsenal eventually came from behind to win the match 2–1.[64]
Ahead of his second season at Chelsea, Pulisic was given the number 10 shirt afterWillian, who wore the number the previous season, departed in the offseason to Arsenal.[68] He returned to training on September 9 following the hamstring injury he suffered in the FA Cup Final in August,[69] although Lampard kept him off the squad for the season opener againstBrighton after experiencing some discomfort later in the week.[70]
Pulisic made his season debut on October 3, coming off the bench late in a 4–0 win over Crystal Palace.[71] He made his first Premier League start of the season on October 17, a 3–3 draw againstSouthampton.[72] On October 28, Pulisic came off the bench to score a 90th-minute goal in a 4–0 Champions League away win againstKrasnodar.[73] With his 93rd-minute goal for Chelsea againstrivalsLeeds United on December 5, Pulisic became the fastest American to reach 10 goals in the Premier League.[74]
On April 3, 2021, Pulisic scored the opening goal in a 2–5 home league defeat toWest Bromwich Albion.[75] A week later, Pulisic scored a double againstCrystal Palace in a 4–1 victory atSelhurst Park.[76] On April 24, he tiedLionel Messi for the record of most fouls won in aUEFA Champions League match with 11 againstPorto.[77] On April 27, Pulisic scored Chelsea's only goal in a 1–1 away draw againstReal Madrid at theEstadio Alfredo Di Stéfano in the first leg of theChampions League semi-final tie, becoming the youngest Chelsea player and first American to score in the Champions League semi-finals.[78] In the return game at Stamford Bridge, Pulisic came on as a substitute and provided the assist forMason Mount's late goal to make it 2–0 and secure passage to thefinal.[79] On May 29, Pulisic won his first Champions League after Chelsea won 1–0 against Manchester City in thefinal at theEstádio do Dragão in Porto, becoming the first American to play in a UEFA Champions League Final[80] and the second American to win it afterJovan Kirovski in1997 with Borussia Dortmund.[81][82]
On August 11, 2021, Pulisic won the2021 UEFA Super Cup and scored in thepenalty shootout. Three days later, he scored in Chelsea's opening game of the2021–22 Premier League season, a 3–0 win overCrystal Palace.[83] He tested positive forCOVID-19 the next week, and did not play again until November because of an ankle injury.[84] On January 2, 2022, he scored the equalizer in a 2–2 draw at home againstLiverpool.[85] He then came on early as a substitute in the2021 FIFA Club World Cup Final, helping Chelsea to a 2–1 overPalmeiras.[15] He started theEFL Cup Final against Liverpool on February 27 as Chelsea lost onpenalties after a 0–0 draw.[86] He scored in both legs of the club'sUEFA Champions League last 16 tie againstLille, as Chelsea progressed to the quarter-finals, 4–1 on aggregate.[87]
On October 8, 2022, Pulisic scored in his first start under new Chelsea managerGraham Potter, a 3–0 win overWolverhampton Wanderers.[88] After an increasing lack of starts during the2022–23 season following Chelsea's rapid purchasing of new attackers and a shuffle of managers, it was speculated that he was going to leave the club before his contract ended in 2024.[89][90] Several clubs were interested, most notablyAC Milan,Lyon,Manchester United, andNewcastle United.[91][92]
On July 13, 2023, Pulisic completed a transfer toSerie A clubAC Milan on a four-year contract until June 30, 2027, and was given the number 11 previously worn byZlatan Ibrahimović.[93][94] The transfer was executed through a deal worth a maximum of €22 million.[95][96]
On August 21, Pulisic made his Serie A debut for Milan, scoring the club's second goal 2–0 win againstBologna, which in turn, made him the first American to score a goal in three of Europe'sTop five leagues.[97][98] In the following game on August 26, he opened Milan's 4–1 home win againstTorino,[99] leading him to be named the club's Player of the Month for August.[100] On October 7, Pulisic scored a last-minute winner in a dramatic 1–0 win overGenoa.[101] On December 2, he scored his fifth league goal from a long-ball kick from goalkeeperMike Maignan in the 3–1 win overFrosinone.[102] On December 13, he scored his firstUEFA Champions League goal with Milan in the essential 2–1 win overNewcastle United in the final game of thegroup stage, which kept his team in European competition with theUEFA Europa League.[103] On December 30, he scored in the 1–0 win againstSassuolo atSan Siro, which he broke the record for the most Serie A goals (6) by an American player in a single season.[104][105] He was namedSerie A Player of the Month for December with 2 goals and 2 assists in league play, becoming the award's first-ever North American recipient.[106]
On February 18, 2024, he came off the bench againstMonza and recorded a goal and an assist to level the score 2–2, though Milan would lose 2–4.[107] On March 2 in a dramatic 1–0 victory againstLazio, he caused two opposing players to receivered card dismissals. Following the match, he subsequently received death threats by Lazio fans, though his performance was praised byStefano Pioli and his teammates.[108][109] On March 7 and 14, Pulisic scored in both legs againstSlavia Prague in theUEFA Europa LeagueRound of 16, tallying his first ever Europa League goals.[110] Three days later, on March 17, he scored the second goal in a 3–1 away victory overHellas Verona. It was the first time in his senior career that he had reached the tally of 12 goals within a single season.[111] Moreover, the goal turned out to have some historical significance, becoming AC Milan's 5000th in the Serie A since the start of competition.[112] On April 6, he scored his 10th Serie A goal againstLecce, which broke his career highest league seasonal goal tally.[113] On May 11, Pulisic scored two league goals in the 5–1 victory overCagliari, recording his first brace with Milan.[114]
On August 24, 2024, he scored his first goal of the2024–25 Serie A in the 1–2 defeat toParma.[119] On September 14 he recorded an assist and penalty goal in the 4–0 win overVenezia.[120] In Milan's openingUEFA Champions League game on September 17, he scored the first goal in the 1–3 defeat toLiverpool.[121] In the following game on September 22, he scored the opener in the 2–1Derby della Madonnina win over rivalsInter by dribbling past 4 defenders in a solo effort.[122] On September 27, he scored in his fourth-straight club game, a 3–0 win overLecce.[123] On October 6, in the 1–2 loss againstFiorentina he scored a volley goal. During the match, Fiorentina conceded two penalties during the game, both of which saw Pulisic controversially stripped of his penalty-taker status by teammatesThéo Hernandez andTammy Abraham, both of whom missed their penalties. After the match,Paulo Fonseca was angered by Hernandez and Abraham's actions and cemented Pulisic as the Milan penalty taker: "Of course I am upset. Christian should take penalties. It must never happen again, and I told the players."[124][125] Pulisic became the first player from a top-five European league to contribute to a goal in seven consecutive league matches.[126] On October 22, he scored anOlimpico goal in the 3–1 Champions League win overClub Brugge.[127] On November 5, he assistedMalick Thiaw in the 3–1 Champions League win overReal Madrid.[128]
On January 6, 2025, Pulisic won the2024–25 Supercoppa Italiana against rivalsInter Milan, where he scored the equalizer and created a critical game-winning pass toRafael Leão in an eventual 3–2 comeback victory, securing his first trophy with AC Milan. He finished as the tournament's joint-top goalscorer.[129][130] Pulisic's goal made him the first American player in a top five European league sinceClint Dempsey to reach double figures in consecutive seasons.[131] After a perfect record of 12 in a row, Pulisic failed to convert a penalty kick for the first time in his professional career when his shot was blocked byTorino's goalkeeperVanja Milinković-Savić, ending in a 1–2 defeat on February 22.[132] On March 8 he scored a brace in the late 3–2 comeback victory overLecce, including winning and converting the game-winning penalty.[133] On April 27 he scored againstVenezia, breaking his highest scoring season with 16 goals across all competitions.[134]
He finished the season as AC Milan's top scorer with 17 goals along with 10 assists across all competitions.[135] He had 9 league assists, the second highest in the Serie A behindRomelu Lukaku.[136]
On August 17, 2025, Pulisic scored in Milan's opening2025–26 Coppa Italia game, a 2–0 win againstBari.[138] On September 21, he scored a brace and created an assist in the 3–0 win againstUdinese, which Pulisic surpassed the record ofClint Dempsey (57) of having the most goals in the top-5 European leagues as an American with 59.[139][140] On September 28, Pulisic created an assist in a solo run from his own half and later scored a goal in the 2–1 victory over Serie A leadersNapoli, claiming Milan's place at the top of the league.[141] InSeptember, he won his secondSerie A Player of the Month award with 3 goals and 2 assists in 147 minutes of league play.[142] Returning from a month long injury, he scored the winner in the 1–0Derby della Madonnina overInter, which made him tied as the Serie A goalscoring leader.[143]
Pulisic represented the United States atU-15 andU-17 levels. He scored two goals in 10 appearances for the under-15 team.[144] On December 13, 2013, for the U-17 team, he playedBrazil at a U17 friendly tournament in Florida where he scored a goal in the championship 4–1 win.[25] He captained the U-17 team at the2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he scored a goal and an assist in three games.[145] During his two years with the team, Pulisic scored a total of 20 goals in 34 games.[146] Pulisic had been eligible to play internationally forCroatia but declined the opportunity.[147][148]
2016–2020: Senior debut and breaking USMNT records
Pulisic taking a free kick against Trinidad and Tobago during theCONCACAF Gold Cup in June 2019
On March 27, 2016, Pulisic was called up to the senior team by head coachJürgen Klinsmann ahead of a World Cupqualifying game againstGuatemala.[149] Two days later, he made his debut in that match, a 4–0 win at theMapfre Stadium inColumbus, Ohio, as an 81st-minute substitute forGraham Zusi. He thus became the youngest American to play in a World Cup qualifier.[150]
Pulisic was included in the senior squad for theCopa América Centenario, which was hosted by the United States.[151] A week later, he became the youngest player to score for the United States in the modern era, when he put home a late goal in a 4–0friendly win against visiting sideBolivia.[152]
On September 2, 2016, Pulisic recorded two goals and an assist in a World Cup qualifying match in a 6–0 victory overSaint Vincent and the Grenadines,[153] thereby becoming the youngest person to score in a World Cup qualifier for the United States and the youngest player to score a brace in American history.[154] In the following match againstTrinidad and Tobago, he broke another youth record by becoming the youngest American to start a World Cup qualifying match.[155] In the following year of qualification, on June 8, Pulisic scored both goals in a 2–0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago. In the last two matches of qualification, Pulisic scored a goal in each: a 4–0 victory overPanama and a 1–2 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago. He finished the fifth round as the top scorer with five goals. Despite his strong performances, the United States failed to qualify for the2018 FIFA World Cup. The loss to Trinidad and Tobago is considered the most humiliating performance in American soccer history.[156]
On November 20, 2018, Pulisic became the youngest player to captain the United States national team in a friendly defeat toItaly. Pulisic was 20 years and 63 days old.[157]
On March 26, 2019, Christian Pulisic became the youngest United States player to score 10 international goals[158] at 20 years, 189 days old.
2021–present: CONCACAF triumphs and World Cup debut
On June 6, 2021, Pulisic captained the United States national team to a 3–2 victory in the first-everCONCACAF Nations Leaguefinal againstMexico, scoring the winning goal by converting a penalty in the 114th minute.[159]
On March 27, 2022, Pulisic scored his first internationalhat-trick for the U.S. men's national team during their win over Panama in the2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. His first two goals from the hat trick came from penalty kicks.[160]
At the2022 FIFA World Cup, Pulisic assistedTim Weah for the team's opening group stage goal againstWales.[161] He received his first FIFA World Cup Man of the Match award for his offensive pressure during the 0–0 draw againstEngland.[162] In the following game Pulisic earned his second Man of the Match award after scoring the winner in the United States' 1–0 win overIran in their last group stage game, sending his team to the knockouts.[163] In the Round of 16, he assistedHaji Wright's goal against theNetherlands as the United States was defeated 3–1. Pulisic, along with three other players, received the third most Man of the Match awards in the tournament with two, afterKylian Mbappé's three andLionel Messi's four.[164]
During the2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Pulisic scored a brace against Mexico in the semi-finals and was awarded Man of the Match.[165] The United States defeated Canada 2–0 in the final, leading to him achieving his second Nations League trophy in a row. He was awarded Player of the Tournament for the2022–23 competition. In the following year's2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Pulisic captained the U.S. in the 2–0 victory against Mexico inthe final to secure his third Nations League trophy in a row.[166]
Competing in the2024 Copa América, he recorded a goal and assist in the opening 2–0 group stage win overBolivia inGroup C and was awarded Man of the Match.[167] On November 18, he became the fastest USMNT player to record 50 goal contributions after a goal againstJamaica in theCONCACAF Nations League.[168]
Following his promotion to the Dortmund first team,FourFourTwo writer Andy Mitten wrote that the Dortmund managerThomas Tuchel "saw the potential – the speed, sharpness, strength, sublime fitness and mature decision-making that belied his age".[169] Tuchel called Pulisic "the kind of guy who's very self-confident, shows his talent on the pitch, and doesn't show any nerves under pressure – which is a wonderful combination".[169] Pulisic's Dortmund teammateNuri Şahin said, "He's fearless [...] He has so much speed, but what I like most is his first touch. When he gets the ball, his first touch opens up a huge space for him even if there's no space."[169] Since the 2018–19 season, Pulisic was most often deployed on the wing for Dortmund, and this continued at Chelsea and AC Milan, although towards the end of the 2023–24 Serie A season he found himself deployed more regularly in central areas as a playmaker. Because of his style of play, Pulisic is often subjected to fouls by opponents.[170]
In July 2020, Chelsea managerFrank Lampard compared him positively to former Chelsea wingerEden Hazard, saying Pulisic "has a more direct attacking instinct. He has the talent to pass through defenders and run inside the box which is a great trait in the modern game." Lampard added, "There's still more development to come. Christian is taking responsibility to change games."[171]
At Milan with the presence ofRafael Leão on the left of the attacking third, Pulisic once again moved to the right wing. However, in absence of Leão, Pulisic sometimes is deployed as a left winger, his traditionally preferred position.[172] Pulisic has been praised by Milan managerStefano Pioli, as “He has quality, intensity and willingness." – “He’s scoring a lot, too, which isn’t always easy for a winger.”[173] Pulisic is routinely deployed as acentral attacking midfielder ("trequartista") as the attacking third's playmaker.[174][10]
Pulisic since a young age has been compared withU.S. national team legendsLandon Donovan andClint Dempsey over being the greatest American player of all time, as well as one of the best North American players of all time.[175][176][177] In his early club seasons with Borussia Dortmund he was regarded as one of the world's best young players, being listed as a finalist of the 2017Golden Boy award and runner-up of the2018Kopa Trophy toKylian Mbappé; presented to the world's best player under the age of 21.[48][178][13] During his time with Chelsea he was criticized for being heavily injury-prone, having missed 53 club games from a series of injuries spanning 4 seasons.[179]
Following his move to AC Milan, Pulisic rebounded his club form and has been praised as one of the best players in the ItalianSerie A, as well as one of AC Milan's most important players.[118][115][180] He is regarded as one of the two best activeCONCACAF players withAlphonso Davies.[181][182][183][184][185]
Both the anglicized pronunciation (IPA:/pəˈlɪsɪk/) and the original Croatian pronunciation (IPA:/ˈpʊlɪʃɪtʃ/) have been used by commentators, and Pulisic confirmed that either form is acceptable.[186] His status of captaining the United States national team with his high level of play has earned him the nickname "Captain America" by fans and other players.[187] He has also been nicknamed "TheLeBron James of Soccer" due to a clip from the television showPawn Stars, which has since become a meme.[188]
Pulisic's paternal grandfather, Mate Pulišić, was born inCroatia on the island ofOlib.[189] In a 2023 interview for ESPN, Pulisic added that his paternal grandmother Johanna DiStefano wasSicilian, noting that "My dad, her son, has an Italian flag tattooed on his forearm".[190] Pulisic obtainedCroatian citizenship after moving toGermany in order to avoid applying for a Germanwork visa, which is required to work in the country without aEuropean Union passport.[148] Pulisic has a cousin,Will Pulisic, who plays forMLS Next Pro teamMinnesota United FC 2.[191]
Pulisic is a practicingCatholic.[192][193] and occasionally posts Bible verses on his social media accounts.[194][195]
In 2021, Pulisic signed a long term sponsorship deal with German sportswear brandPuma.[200] On October 11, 2022, he released an autobiography titledPulisic: My Journey So Far. The book chronicles his journey into the soccer world.[201] In the book, he also revealed that he suffered with depression while he was injured in 2020 and during times that he did not get much playing time.[25] In June 2024,CBS Sports announced the beginning of the filming process for thedocuseriesPULISIC, which would include details about Pulisic's personal life, professional career and involvement in the2024 Copa América, and was set to be released onParamount+.[202][203]
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Bolivia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Honduras
Venezuela
Trinidad and Tobago
Panama
Chile
Jamaica
Cuba
Northern Ireland
Mexico
Honduras
Iran
Grenada
Uzbekistan
Germany
Ghana
Brazil
New Zealand
