Christian Pulisic has spoken out about how he hopes to challenge the ‘stigma’ that surrounds American players playing in European football.
It is a busy time for Pulisic at the moment, who continues to be the star of Milan and the USA national team while also starring in a new docuseries titled Pulisic, produced by CBS Sports and streamed on Paramount+.
He gave an interview to The Athletic as part of the promotional activities surrounding the show and he spoke about a number of topics, starting with watching some episodes back before their release.
“When I was watching that part of the first episode. I was like, wow, I’m really awkward, and everyone sees me as this boring guy who doesn’t want to show into his life. I hope people can see that there is some more to me,” he said.
“One of my biggest goals is inspiring that next generation of soccer players and my country back home and getting people excited. I look at the timing of a World Cup coming up in the U.S. and the sport is the biggest it’s ever been. It seems like the right time.
“Some of us are more introverted, some of us are more outgoing. I hope some people can see this documentary and think, ‘I relate to him’. Hopefully, they see how I am as a person and realise, ‘OK, maybe not all football stars are wanting to be so glamorous and in the spotlight all the time’.
“I hope they see that I’m kind of the opposite of that and see some of the struggles that I go through on a day-to-day basis as an American battling in Europe to try to be one of the best players in the world.”
More Stories / Features
tactical analysis atalanta 2-1 ac milan
Sarri and Terzic
Pulisic says in the series that it “p***** me off”, claiming he has “seen it in front of my eyes” and arguing that 50-50 decisions by coaches – about whether to select an American player or not – may have been impacted by it.
“It just inspires me to work that much harder and to have to be better — not even giving them a decision to make and saying, ‘This is the guy that we want playing’. So that’s always pushed me.
“I think it’s in a better place now. I hope I’ve had a say in that and other people look around and say, ‘This guy’s American and he is doing it at the highest level, so we need to respect some of these guys’. Look how many Americans in the last five to 10 years have come over to Europe.
“We have players in the Champions League and some of the highest leagues in the world. It is not our biggest driver of wanting to prove them wrong. It’s just something that is out there.”
Pulisic was in the headlines after celebrating by doing the ‘Trump Dance’ as a nod to the recently-elected US president Donald Trump, and he does not feel any regrets.
“I honestly don’t feel any differently now than when I did it. To me, it was a viral dance trend, [the type of which] I’ve done multiple times in my career.
Pulisic Trump dance
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
“Whether it’s a dab or a funny other dance that people still make fun of me for because my dancing skills aren’t very good, I don’t feel any type of way about it.
“It wasn’t any kind of statement in any way. It was just a fun trend that I was doing. Anyone who looks more into it should really just not because it’s just not there.
“Was I surprised by the response? In the way that the political climate is, especially in the U.S., maybe not. I’ll be honest, beforehand, I didn’t really think about it either. But with the way people react to things, I guess it doesn’t surprise me that much, now I think about it.”
Did U.S. Soccer speak to him about the celebration? “Honestly, no. There was no reaction at all from that side. I think they know me as a person. That’s how we should judge people.”
The forward also went on to speak about how things are different now he is with Milan compared to when he was a big-money signing at Chelsea, initially starting well then struggling for game time.
“It’s not to say it’s easier now [at Milan] than it was with Chelsea, but there was a time in Chelsea where I felt on top of the world and I was playing great and that confidence and that no-fear mentality was easy to have.
“And there was also a time when that was extremely difficult because I wasn’t getting the time. I felt pressure that I needed to do more when I did get on the pitch in some kind of way. Now, I’m in a really good head space where I feel quite confident. I feel a lot of trust from the club in a lot of ways.
More Stories / The Match
front pages 11 december
Fonseca Musah Chukwueze
“For sure, it was difficult. I became very used to my environment in Chelsea. I learned so much, won a lot and was really happy with how things went in certain ways. But when it’s time for a change, you can feel it with all of your being. If I wanted to reach that next level, this is a step that I had to take.
“How do I handle it? Getting older, and understanding that the best in the world are so clear in the head that, for example, if they miss a chance, it doesn’t feel like the end of the world. Their whole body language does not define them.
“They know they’re going to get another because they’re that good and they’re getting into positions. It is about a clear head and understanding that you’re going to have better moments ahead.
“But the mind does crazy things to you. You have a little bit of success and you’re like, ‘Man, this has got to be what it’s always like’. Then when something doesn’t quite go the way you want, it’s funny how your mind takes you right back there. It’s not easy. We all work on it every day.
“The best in the world who seem like they’re scoring every week also have mental droughts and battles they’re dealing with. It just may not seem that way. There’s a lot of parts to it.
“This career, this profession, I’m extremely blessed to be able to do it, but it’s a lot on your brain. It’s a lot on your body, there are games all the time. It’s hard work.”
Pulisic is reluctant to say this is his best season so far individually, but he does acknowledge that he is getting better in most areas of his game.
fonseca pulisic musah
Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images
“In each area, I’m getting a little bit better, whether that be finishing, crossing, defending, tactically growing and understanding the game better.
“I feel like I’m improving and becoming a lot stronger mentally, knowing that when tougher times do hit, I’m able to not let it affect me as much, making the less confident moments become a little bit shorter. So it’s just also about consistency and taking care of yourself.”
Finally, he spoke about how things have been under the new USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino so far, formerly of Spurs and Chelsea.
“He has a very demanding style. He wants us to play an attacking style, where we have the ball, create chances, be very dynamic and also work extremely hard. As soon as we lose it, to win it back and definitely a more higher up pressing style.
“So, yeah, it’s crazy to say it feels like he’s been the coach for a while and I haven’t got to spend a whole lot of time with him. But it has been a good start so far.”