When Milan players walk out onto the pitch at San Siro on Saturday to face Fiorentina, there will be more at stake than just three points. As the Rossoneri continue their pursuit of a strong finish to a turbulent Serie A campaign, one of their most consistent stars is quietly closing in on a milestone that could place him among the elite in the United States’ soccer history.
Christian Pulisic, who has quickly established himself as a pillar of Milan’s current project, has the chance to surpass a record held by another iconic USMNT figure in Europe’s top five leagues—a player whose legacy Pulisic is steadily rewriting.
After spells at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, Pulisic’s move to Milan in the summer of 2023 raised questions. Could he find consistency in Italy? Could he thrive in a new tactical system and prove himself outside the Premier League? The answer, so far, has been a resounding yes.
Since arriving at San Siro, the American winger has not only adapted to life in Serie A, but he’s flourished, becoming one of the few bright spots in what has otherwise been a frustrating campaign for the Red and Blacks. With 15 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions, he has already enjoyed one of the most productive seasons of his career.
His versatility has been a revelation. Whether deployed on the wing or more centrally—as he will likely be against Fiorentina—Pulisic’s influence on the team’s offensive output has been undeniable. And with that consistency has come reward: the club is preparing to renew his contract through 2029, with a salary increase from $4.4 million to $5.5 million per year already agreed in principle.
Historic mark within reach
While Pulisic’s numbers this season are impressive on their own, there’s an added layer of significance to his next potential goal. Should he find the net against Fiorentina or any other upcoming league game, he will reach double figures in Serie A, adding to the 12 goals he’s already tallied in all competitions this season.
In doing so, he would become just the second American player ever to score 10 or more goals in two consecutive seasons in Europe’s top five leagues in the 2000s. The only other to achieve that feat? Clint Dempsey, the trailblazing USMNT forward who lit up the Premier League with Fulham and Tottenham.
For the 26-year-old ace, this is more than a statistical milestone—it’s a symbolic passing of the torch. As the face of a new generation of American stars in Europe, he is now beginning to define the legacy once carved by legends like Dempsey.
