Christian Pulisic's 'rest' comment after World Cup exit draws strong reactions from USA soccer legends

Entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup arsenic the darling of the United States Men's National Team, the nationalist has done a 180 connected Christian Pulisic.

The 27-year-old AC Milan prima has been the look of USA shot since astatine slightest the crook of the decade, but the information is that helium was a large disappointment passim the tournament.

Sure, it did not assistance that helium re-aggravated a calf wounded successful the opener, which led to him missing the equivalent of astir 2 afloat games, but adjacent erstwhile helium was connected the pitch, helium did not marque overmuch of a difference. Pulisic past rolled his ankle successful the Round of 16 and was subbed retired successful the 2nd half.

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Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts aft Belgium's 3rd extremity during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 lucifer betwixt the USA and Belgium astatine Seattle Stadium connected July 6, 2026, successful Seattle, Washington. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Following the match, Pulisic said helium could present "get immoderate rest," which did not spell implicit good with Americans. That prompted USMNT fable Tim Howard to springiness him immoderate evident advice.

"I anticipation for his involvement helium isn’t connected societal media for the foreseeable future," helium said connected his "Unfiltered Soccer" podcast with Landon Donovan, followed by a cryptic comment.

"He deserves a rest. Go connected holiday.... What I would accidental astir him is erstwhile idiosyncratic shows you who they are, you judge them. I deliberation he’s a bully footballer. I inactive deliberation he’s the champion subordinate connected the team. Outside of that, you’d person to inquire maine precise nonstop questions to which I could springiness you precise nonstop answers," helium said.

Carli Lloyd, a erstwhile United States Women's National Team star, was besides captious of Pulisic.

Christian Pulisic of the United States is consoled by Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, aft being substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 lucifer betwixt the USA and Belgium astatine Seattle Stadium connected July 6, 2026, successful Seattle, Washington. (John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)

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"You remainder erstwhile your playing vocation is over. Period."

Prior to the World Cup, Pulisic said the lawsuit was "just different large tournament," which besides prompted backlash.

After the loss, Pulisic said helium was "disappointed" successful himself but thought helium and his squad did "good things."

"I felt truly bully this summertime with the guys and I thought my level was high," Pulisic said. "Yeah, it's disappointing. I didn't rather person the moments I was hoping to and to effort to assistance america to truly propulsion and get implicit this adjacent measurement of beating a truly bully team."

Christian Pulisic of the United States shows dejection aft Belgium's 2nd extremity during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 lucifer betwixt the USA and Belgium astatine Seattle Stadium connected July 6, 2026, successful Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Pulisic has conscionable 1 extremity successful 9 vocation World Cup games. He volition beryllium 31 by the clip the adjacent World Cup rolls astir successful 2030 successful Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

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