Christian Pulisic’s 2025 season with AC Milan has been nothing short of spectacular, establishing him as the team’s most influential player. His formidable form, which earned him the Serie A Player of the Month award for September, has been central to Milan’s strong start in the league. With six goals and two assists in his first seven matches, he has been the driving force behind the Rossoneri’s attack, also becoming the league’s joint-top scorer.

This exceptional run made his presence on the field indispensable for Milan, while simultaneously solidifying his role as the captain and key figure for the USMNT as they build towards the World Cup. The promising season, however, has hit a significant setback. During a USMNT friendly against Australia on Tuesday, Pulisic was forced off the pitch in the first half after clutching his right leg. The incident, which occurred after a challenge from Australian defender Jason Geria, immediately raised concerns for both club and country.

Subsequent medical evaluations confirmed the fears. As reported by @usmntonly on X, an MRI scan performed upon the player’s return to Italy has diagnosed a low-grade injury to his right hamstring, with an estimated recovery time of three weeks. This diagnosis has ignited considerable frustration from AC Milan’s hierarchy towards the USMNT and their coach, Mauricio Pochettino.

According to multiple reports from Italian media, the club is “furious” and feels that Christian Pulisic was exposed to an unnecessary risk. The winger had been managing a minor ankle issue before the international window and had played only a limited role in the previous friendly against Ecuador. Milan’s management believed that this warranted caution, and they viewed the decision to start him against Australia just days later as “reckless.”

Pochettino himself alluded to the challenging conditions, stating, “I think it’s a thing that is a massive risk. I don’t want to say that Christian or if it’s something because, but I think it was really tough for the player. We know to prepare the game and then to play. We got really sad about this [Pulisic] situation because I think it is difficult.” The injury comes at a critical juncture in the Serie A calendar, dealing a heavy blow to Milan’s tactical plans.

Christian Pulisic will be missed on the pitch

Christian Pulisic is expected to miss several key league matches, including fixtures against Fiorentina, Pisa, Atalanta, and Roma. His absence will test the squad’s depth, forcing manager Massimiliano Allegri to find alternative solutions in attack during a busy period where the team is fighting near the top of the table. For the USMNT, the timing is also far from ideal.

While the initial recovery timeline provides hope for his return before the World Cup, his absence from the pitch disrupts his rhythm and could impact his readiness for the national team’s upcoming November friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay.

For now, the focus for both club and country is on Christian Pulisic’s careful and complete recovery. While the three-week timeline is a relief compared to initial fears of a more severe injury, it underscores the fragile nature of a player’s fitness and the high stakes involved when a star of Pulisic’s caliber is on the sidelines. All parties will be anxiously awaiting his return to full fitness, hoping that this setback is only a brief interruption in what has been a standout season.