Pulisic, a horrible 2026 with missed goals, injuries and uncertainty over his contract

The hundred days have just passed, in a very personal battle that for the moment he is still unable to bring home. One hundred abundant days of fasting that turned Christian Pulisic’s life in the Rossoneri upside down, transforming him from an alchemist to a gunslinger with a jammed drum. The away match in Verona cannot go unnoticed because Christian’s last smile dates back to the first leg match against the Venetians. That time at San Siro everything was rather simple for the Devil, because the engine was working: Milan had various offensive solutions, they had recently won the first derby of the season and Pulisic was Allegri’s King Midas: 8 goals (and 2 assists) in 11 games, or a goal every 74 minutes. Sensational average. However, the goal against Verona on 28 December was no longer followed up, Christian began to curl up on himself without being able to put the team back on his shoulders, and in this sense no one was able to help him: if his colleagues in the department had done their job, his 8 goals would still be considered a respectable haul, instead of standing out for having stopped suddenly.

clue

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Of course, the two opposite paces obviously remain regardless and, as often happens in these cases, the genesis is a set of causes, there is no single explanation. Without having the presumption of wanting to delve into other people’s heads, even the recent change of look – long beard, which has a certain effect on a face with somatically young features – can be read as an indication of wanting to change. To leave behind complicated months where little, if anything, went right. Pulisic’s last smiles date back to the end of last year, understood as a calendar year: 2026 seems more like a constant fight against everything and everyone. Even against himself and against a ball that no longer wants to enter. From Verona to Verona his goal tally remained immaculate, weighed down – also – by an athletic condition rather far from optimal which knocked on his door several times throughout the season (even if comforting signs arrived with Udinese). First a thigh injury, then a strain, then bursitis. One slowdown after another in the weeks of work which was then combined with the tactical dispersion of the offensive phase. Which, very simply, made sense and developed a few months ago, and now proceeds along paths dictated by instinct and not by preparatory work.

occasions

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In these cases national brackets often help. They serve to get a change of scenery, to rejuvenate. But it was a dead end here too. Especially the last window in which it was a disaster in collective terms – heavy knockouts, 5-2 against Belgium and 2-0 against Portugal -, a few months before the home World Cup, and also in personal terms: harsh criticism for wasted opportunities, but above all the sad confirmation that coach Pochettino has officially taken the armband off his arm. Moreover, without any certainty of being able to get it back in time for July. A delicate situation for a footballer who has always been the icon of his national team (without considering the economic side effects in terms of sponsors and merchandising). Just as the contractual issue continues to be delicate. Christian will expire in 2027 and there is no news. Everything has been at a standstill for some time now, in a phase where the American is evidently reflecting. On the club’s proposal, but also on a horizon that may no longer be that of Milanello. However, a decision will have to be made by the summer, so as not to find ourselves at an deadline when next season begins. Finally, the media chaos with his (ex) girlfriend Alex Melton, who brought it up on social media in ways that heaped assorted criticism on Christian, must also be included in the cauldron. In short, when it rains it can also hail. But sooner or later, it has to stop.