It’s not every day that a national team coach draws a line connecting one of his players to Lionel Messi, the most decorated soccer player of the modern era. But Mauricio Pochettino did just that—deliberately and without hesitation. The new U.S. Men’s National Team head coach sent shockwaves through the American soccer landscape when he declared on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast: “Christian Pulisic should be our Messi.”
Pochettino’s statement, made during a candid discussion with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, wasn’t mere flattery. It was a pointed assertion with layers of intent—one that spoke volumes about the faith he has in Pulisic, and perhaps more intriguingly, the direction he sees the USMNT taking ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
In a move that sparked criticism from segments of the American soccer fanbase, Christian Pulisic will not participate in this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The decision came after a grueling campaign in Italy, where the Milan winger made over 50 appearances, scoring 17 goals and assisting 12 times, delivering the most productive season of his club career.
Many questioned his absence. Was it lack of commitment? Fatigue? Favoritism? Pochettino had a ready answer—but he carefully held it until the conversation turned to legacy. “Christian is a very nice guy and very committed to the national team,” the boss said. “And of course, he’s desperate to play the World Cup and arrive in the best condition.”
According to the coach, the choice to rest wasn’t taken lightly. Despite U.S. Soccer’s claim that Pulisic initiated the idea, Pochettino emphasized the collaborative nature of the decision. “We can’t force the player to come,” he explained. “But I need to be fair and say it was a collective decision—to try and find the best for the national team and the best for the player.”
The Messi comparison — Explained
And then, in the middle of a conversation on player management and tournament priorities, Pochettino dropped the comparison that reframed the entire debate.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful with Messi or Pulisic… but I think in this country, Pulisic should be our Messi. Because he’s an iconic player. The kid on the street—for sure, if you ask about one soccer player in this country, it’s Pulisic.”
The Argentine coach is no stranger to working with world-class talent. He’s managed stars like Harry Kane, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, and understands what it takes to build a team around a true talisman. Pochettino believes that if Pulisic continues his current trajectory, he can play a Messi-like role—not necessarily in terms of trophies, but in symbolic and cultural stature within the U.S. game.
“Christian, in the last year, was showing great quality. He’s performing in Europe and also here in the national team. He’s a very talented player who can help us to win,” Pochettino added.
Eyes on 2026
The stakes for Pulisic have never been higher. At 26, he already boasts 32 international goals, placing him in the top five all-time USMNT scorers. He’s the face of the squad heading into a once-in-a-generation opportunity—the 2026 World Cup on American soil, which could define his legacy forever.
Pochettino, mindful of the long-term goal, defended the controversial decision to rest Pulisic this summer: “Sometimes you need to put the interest in medium-long-term [rather] than in the present.
The 53-year-old added: “When we talk about this type of decision, for us, I think it was a tough decision because it was also our idea. If you say, ‘You need to come,’ maybe you get a player who’s not in top condition. So we agreed—it was a collective decision.”
