Christian Pulisic is expected to lead the United States men’s national team to the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Pulisic has been the USA’s best player for nearly a decade and has even been called the ‘LeBron James of soccer’.
The AC Milan star is possibly under more pressure than any other player at the tournament, not only those in the American squad.
Even though he is no longer the USMNT captain, Pulisic’s leadership will be tested as much as his ability at this World Cup.
The winger remains the talismanic figure on the pitch for Mauricio Pochettino’s inexperienced team.
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Christian Pulisic has often been criticised for not showing the style of leadership that American fans want to see.
The likes of Michael Jordan and Tom Brady were vocal leaders who explicitly demanded more from their teammates.
However, Pulisic is a quieter character who prefers to lead by example and let the football do the talking.
USMNT legend Alexi Lalas does not expect to see a different side to Pulisic at the World Cup, even if he receives criticism.
Lalas insists the 27-year-old can still be the USA’s star player without trying to be someone he is not.
“Christian Pulisic is never going to be the personality that many want him to be, the leader that many want him to be. He’s going to lead by example,” Lalas said.
“He’s not particularly gregarious or larger than life when you see him interviewed or anything like that. He doesn’t need to be that.
“He just needs to go on the field and take players on one-on-one. In doing that, he will draw plenty of defenders and open up space for others.
“Then, he will do what he is so good at doing, which is providing the assist or finishing off the goal. He needs to be a star in the sense that he needs to dominate games, and I think he can at this World Cup.”
Pulisic recently ended his eight-game goal drought in the USA’s 3-2 victory over Senegal last week.
The former Chelsea forward will be determined to continue in the same vein in the USA’s three Group D matches.
Starting with Paraguay this weekend, Pulisic has an opportunity to cement his place as the greatest American soccer player ever.
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