Pochettino: Pulisic should be the Messi of U.S.
United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino said Christian Pulisic should be the Lionel Messi of the U.S.
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Pulisic should be the “Messi of U.S.”
Pulisic, 26, is an integral part of the USMNT since 2016, with 32 goals and 18 assists in 76 appearances.
He has captained the team on multiple occasions and led them to Concacaf Nations League titles in 2019–20, 2022–23, and 2023–24.
“I think Christian in the last year showed a great quality. He’s performing in Europe, also he’s performing with the national team. He’s a very talented player that can help us to win,” Pochettino said when speaking on the “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast.
“You say people compare Messi with Christian Pulisic. I don’t want to be disrespectful to Messi or Pulisic, but I think in this country, Pulisic should be our Messi, because he’s an iconic player. The kids on the street for sure if you ask one soccer player in this country, it’s Pulisic.”
“Committed to the national team”
Pulisic is also coming off statistically the most successful club season of his career with AC Milan.
He registered 17 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
However, Pulisic decided not to join the USMNT for the June friendlies and the Gold Cup after a demanding season in Europe.
Pochettino supported the decision, saying they had spoken before it was announced.
“Christian is a very nice guy, is very committed to the national team and he wants to help and of course is desperate to play in the [2026] World Cup and arrive in the best condition,” Pochettino said.
“All these conversations that we were taking with the players, I think that was the best decision to help him because every player are in different circumstances.”
The USMNT will face Turkey and Switzerland in friendlies before taking on Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saudi Arabia in Group D of the Concacaf Gold Cup.
