Pulisic admits gratitude for Milan journey so far and hopes to go further: “I couldn’t resist” | OneFootball

Christian Pulisic joined AC Milan in the summer of 2023, and few would have dreamed the move to have gone how it has so far.

In the past 18 months, Pulisic has established himself as one of the best attackers in Europe, at least in terms of numbers, and even then it could be argued that the Milan star is still massively under the radar.

With 28 contributions in 48 games for the Rossoneri in Serie A, the American has firmly taken the reigns of the frontline, and there are no signs of it slowing down with his numbers being among the best.

These numbers, theoretically, should only continue to improve with more time in the league, as well as him reaching his prime, something which the Diavolo will hope they can experience. However, with Premier League clubs interested in bringing the winger back to England, it may be difficult.

For now, though, Pulisic is only focused on Milan, and in an interview with UEFA, he looked back on his journey so far.

On representing the United States in European football…

“I’m really proud to be an American. I hope that what I do on the pitch is really inspiring kids back home in the US and saying: “You know what, maybe I can go over to Europe and I can do it too.” I had some Americans that played in Europe that I looked up to, but not a lot playing at the highest level.

“Now you can see already that there are more and more players coming through, Americans playing in Europe. To see the support back home, to see how the sport has grown since I’ve been in Europe the last ten years, back in the US, it’s really special to me. [I’m] definitely proud to represent my country.

On moving to Germany to play football as a teenager….

“It was a scary thing to do, especially as an American leaving the country and my family. I kind of knew around that age that I really wanted to go over to Europe, I wanted to test myself against the best, I wanted to play in Europe at the highest level.

More Stories about Christian Pulisic

Pulisic admits gratitude for Milan journey so far and hopes to go further: “I couldn’t resist”

25 November 2024, 16:10

Official: AC Milan vs. Juventus starting XIs – Musah starts on the right flank

23 November 2024, 16:53

MN: Pulisic on the bench as Fonseca chooses Chukwueze for Milan-Juve

23 November 2024, 14:02

“It was just about finding the right time. I had been scouted by some teams in Europe. Then I had the opportunity to go and play over in the academy at Dortmund.

“I would just give thanks to the whole club [for] the way that they treated me, and they really wanted to give me that opportunity and give me a chance to play with the professionals. Even if I was still physically maybe not there, they knew that I had the ability and that I would get there, so they gave me the opportunities and I always wanted it.”

On winning the Champions League final with Chelsea…

“I will never forget that experience. Winning the Champions League is a dream you have as a kid. To play in that game, to win the Champions League, one of the best nights of my life, just incredible memories and definitely still feels surreal.”

Joining Milan…

“There was an amazing opportunity to play here. Seeing the history of the club and knowing some of the players that have played here, the legendary players, the legendary teams that have won UEFA Champions Leagues.

“It was an opportunity that I couldn’t resist.”

“They [Milan] showed me support from the first minute I got here, and I’m really grateful for how it’s gone and the way that they continue to trust me and give me opportunities, so it’s been really special. I love life in Italy and I really do enjoy playing for the club.

“I’ve wanted to continue to grow as a player but a big part of it as well is down to Milan giving me the opportunities, trusting me and giving me the confidence to go out and play the way I am because I think confidence is one of the most important things that a player can have when they go out.

“When it’s game time, if you’re feeling confident then you already have that edge that you’re going to play really well.”

On his ambitions for Milan’s 125th-anniversary campaign…

“It’s a club that’s always striving for success. We want to win titles. I think you can feel it around the building. It’s an important aspect to this club. With all the history of the club, you feel it every day when you walk into the training ground that we’re here to have a good time, but we want to win.

“The Champions League is always right up at the top as far as the competitions that you play in. So we want to continue to perform there and give ourselves an opportunity to go far in the competition.”