Christian Pulisic has been told ruling himself out of USMNT duty is a "bad look", with Alexi Lalas using Lionel Messi as an example of commitment.
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Tough season in Italy coming to a closeHas been granted rest over the summerCoutdown on to home World Cup in 2026Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
On the back of a long season at AC Milan, which has seen him post personal bests on the goal front, Pulisic – who captained his country at the Copa America in 2024 – has decided that he needs to take a rest.
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As a result, he will not form part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans when another trophy is chased down this summer. Pulisic has not been included in the United States squad for their Gold Cup campaign, as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup finals on home soil continues.
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Former USMNT star Lalas is disappointed to see star names withdrawing from international duty, with Argentine icon Messi – who has 191 caps to his name – proving that it is possible to nurse your body through gruelling schedules on an annual basis.
WHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID
Lalas has told his podcast: "When it comes to Christian Pulisic, here’s the problem I have. He is, when all is said and done, going to go down as the best male American soccer player in history. There will be some argument there, but it’s heading in that direction. He is, without a doubt, a starter for this team and he changes the game when he is on. He has been starting with this team since he was a teenager, he has brought it forward.
"Christian Pulisic, because of how good he is, and fairly so, has been treated differently. However, I cannot relate to someone in his position, who is a national team player, opting out, not wanting to represent your team.
"I played in a different time, but I would bring up the fact that the time I played in, it was bad! It wasn’t even close to the resources and the opportunity and, let’s be honest, the protection that the players have – chartered flights, or the way the games are referred, or the amenities that they have, or the medical. Yes, they play a lot of games. But you know who plays a lot of games? Messi."