Christian Pulisic, AC Milan forward, gave an exclusive interview to Access Hollywood, a well-known American TV program. Here’s what he said:
We heard your Italian: it’s incredible. Is it true that when you arrived here in 2023 you didn’t know it at all?
“Yes, a couple of years ago I didn’t know even a single word of Italian. I’m working on it. It’s not perfect yet, but I try to immerse myself in the culture and learn the language. At the beginning I really had no idea what people were saying to me… (smiles, ed.). But that’s how it goes, you learn as you go.”
Since I’m here for the Winter Olympics, is there a phrase in Italian I should know?
“Well, usually the first thing you learn is the swear words (laughs, ed.). But I won’t teach you those. Let’s go with a nice ‘Buongiorno’ or ‘Come stai?’ It’s a good way to start.”
I saw the video Milan released to celebrate the Olympics, very nice. But why is cappuccino ‘forbidden’ after 11 a.m.?
"I can’t tell you why, you’d have to ask the Italians (laughs,). It doesn’t make sense to me. I’m not a big coffee drinker, so it’s not a problem for me, but it’s true that they don’t like it when you put milk in coffee after a certain time. There have been a lot of Italian ‘traditions’ I’ve had to learn."
Like what? Pulisic replied:
"Don’t cut spaghetti with a knife and everything will be fine."
What do you do to make Italy feel like home?
"I don’t go out much, I stay home a lot doing ‘American things’ like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and talking with my family, simple things like that that make me feel at home in a way."
Now with Team USA here for the Olympics, it’s like a piece of home is here too…
"It’s special. I like watching our amazing athletes compete. It’s fun."
You’ve been at Milan since 2023, such an iconic club… What’s your favorite thing here?
"Going to the stadium and seeing the fans. Winning at home, scoring, hearing them celebrate by shouting your name and supporting the team… There’s nothing like it. Almost eighty thousand people cheering, being part of that every week is special."
The fans love you:
"They really love Milan. I really appreciate that."
Your book will be coming out soon as well…
"I’m at a point in my career, with the World Cup coming up, where I think it can be a great boost for soccer in our country. I want to inspire kids by telling my story, to give them confidence and make them believe in themselves."
What’s your superpower on the field?
"I think it’s believing in everything I do and trying to be the best. Of course I can make mistakes, but I keep moving forward and I always believe that all the work and effort you put in will pay off."
What’s your next dream? Winning the World Cup?
"Why not? We have the World Cup in the U.S. If I had thought about that as a kid… It’s a dream just to be there, to live the moment and do your best."
You’re obviously the main face of the national team. How does that feel?
"I’ve been lucky in what I’ve done in my career, playing for fantastic clubs in Europe and representing the national team since I was 17. I’m grateful for the support I get. Having that recognition is nice, but what really matters is that I’ve loved playing soccer since I was a kid and I still do. At the World Cup I’ll enjoy the moment, I’ve worked for this and I’m grateful to be able to experience it."
Soccer or football? Pulisic replied:
"(Laughs, ed.). If I hear an American accent, I say ‘soccer,’ but in Europe you have to be careful and of course I say ‘football.’"
Did you ever imagine you’d become this important for the national team?
"It’s incredible. I’ve been in Europe for 10 years, and every time I go home in the summer it feels like the importance of this sport has grown. It’s special. If I can play even a small part in helping that growth in the U.S.… it’s great, I’m lucky."
We’ve seen you celebrate with a heart when your family is in the stadium:
"It’s a way to show my affection. If I score and I see them, I obviously do it, they’re people I love."
How are you?
“It’s going well. I feel much better. I’m close to being where I want to be (physically, ed.). I’m positive.”
During the World Cup you’ll also play against some of your teammates here at Milan:
"It’s always fun when you play against your teammates. But when you’re on the field it’s not that strange: it’s a battle and you don’t really care that much about who’s in front of you."
What’s the atmosphere like in Milan with the Olympics? Does it motivate you ahead of the World Cup?
"You can feel the excitement. And seeing Team USA motivates me a lot. Watching what they’re doing in their respective sports makes me want to do even more when the World Cup arrives in the summer."
