In a revealing interview with GOAL, Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan and USMNT star, opens up about his journey from being American soccer's golden boy to embracing the unexpected role of a villain in Serie A.
The third episode of Pulisic's documentary on Paramount+ captures a transformative moment in Rome, where the Lazio faithful turned against him with unprecedented hostility. While soccer legends like Zlatan Ibrahimovic might thrive on such animosity, Pulisic admits this was new territory for him.
"I don't think it's a matter of me wanting or not wanting to be a villain; I think it's just the way I am," Pulisic told GOAL. "Under the layers, even though I may not be the most outgoing person, I'm one of the most competitive people you'll ever meet. If that means that everyone's gonna hate me and want to fight me, that's fine with me."
At 26, Pulisic has spent much of his life under intense scrutiny, transitioning from Borussia Dortmund's wonderkid to Chelsea's enigma, and now AC Milan's influential attacker. Despite his public profile, he remains an introvert at heart, preferring quiet evenings to the spotlight. This makes his decision to participate in a documentary particularly surprising, even to those closest to him.
The American star's career trajectory has exceeded expectations, from lifting the Champions League trophy to scoring at the World Cup. Yet, the weight of being American soccer's focal point hasn't always been easy to bear. "I think with time, and with experience as well, it's definitely gotten easier in a lot of ways," he reflects. "I don't put as much pressure on myself. It doesn't weigh on me or make me feel like it's some burden."
His move to AC Milan has marked a turning point. With six Serie A goals this season and leading the team in assists, Pulisic has found his groove. "To be honest, it really started since coming here," he says of his time in Milan. "With my faith in God, I feel like I'm in such a more peaceful place off the field."
The documentary also reveals the sacrifices behind his success. Pulisic describes his first year at Dortmund as "the worst year of my life," moving to Europe at 15 and leaving everything behind. "Moving to Europe at 15, leaving everything behind and going through what I did, it was horrible. It really was a struggle at the beginning."
As the 2026 World Cup on home soil approaches, Pulisic remains focused on the present, taking each challenge as it comes. "It's amazing, and I'm definitely excited, but it's just not something that's on my brain at the moment," he says, emphasizing his commitment to his current responsibilities at Milan.
Whether viewed as a hero or villain, Pulisic appears more comfortable with himself than ever before. He's not concerned with labels or public perception, stating, "What matters to me are my coaches and my teammates and then the people that I keep close in my life." As he continues to redefine himself on his own terms, Pulisic's story represents a unique blend of American ambition and European soccer excellence, all while maintaining his authentic self in an increasingly public world.
