Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team, has declared that Christian Pulisic has the potential to be the U.S. equivalent of Lionel Messi, owing to his extraordinary talent and visibility in the sport.
During an appearance on the “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast, hosted by former USMNT legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, Pochettino remarked, “Over the past year, Christian has displayed remarkable quality. His performances in Europe and with the national team highlight his talent, which is vital for our success.” He continued, “While comparisons to Messi can be delicate, I believe in this country, Pulisic embodies our version of Messi. He is a player recognized and admired by young soccer enthusiasts on the streets.”
At just 26 years old, Pulisic has made significant contributions to the USMNT, netting 32 goals and providing 18 assists across 76 appearances since his debut in March 2016. He has captained the team on several occasions and played a pivotal role in securing the Concacaf Nations League titles in 2019-20, 2022-23, and 2023-24.
On the club front, Pulisic has showcased his talents with teams like Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and now AC Milan. He is fresh off one of the most prolific seasons of his career, achieving 17 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.
Despite his crucial role, Pulisic opted, together with the U.S. Soccer Federation, to skip the USMNT’s upcoming June friendlies and the Gold Cup after an intensive season in Europe. Pochettino expressed his support for Pulisic’s decision, noting they had discussed it before the news was shared publicly.
“Christian is a dedicated team player who is committed to the national squad and eager to compete in the 2026 World Cup in peak condition,” Pochettino noted. “We had these conversations with the players, and I believe this was the best choice for him; each player’s circumstances vary.”
Pulisic is among several key USMNT players sidelined for the 2025 Gold Cup, joining the ranks of Antonee Robinson, Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna, and Yunus Musah.
Pochettino emphasized that every American player should feel a deep desire to represent their country. “Players need to prioritize the national team,” he affirmed. “When we discuss players from Argentina, Brazil, England, or Spain, they have an unyielding passion to represent their nation. Even legends like Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé crave that experience.”
“For these athletes, it does not matter if it’s a friendly or an official match; wearing their nation’s colors is a profound honor. It’s our responsibility to instill that pride.”
The USMNT is set to face Turkey and Switzerland in friendly matches before competing against Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saudi Arabia in Group D of the Concacaf Gold Cup.