The biggest smile came when a young fan gave him a personalized red-and-black wristband, just as had happened with Leão last year. For Christian Pulisic, the main thing now is for his season to go more smoothly than Rafa’s did last year. Not that it would take much. There may be no major developments at the moment regarding a contract renewal, but if words carry weight, then Christian’s are worth highlighting: "I'm very happy to be at Milan, both right now and when I think about the future. Honestly, I’m not thinking about the renewal at the moment, but I want to stay here. Are we talking about it with the club? Yes." So Cardinale can remain confident, at least judging by the words of Milan’s No. 11.
"We’re seeing more of him this year, he’s working well, and we always have his support," Pulisic says of the RedBird chief, who has always regarded Christian as one of the cornerstones on which to rebuild the new Milan. An icon for the Rossoneri and, of course, an icon back home in the United States. Put together, those are two factors that are very useful for anyone doing business in the U.S. while also trying to raise Milan’s level. His contract expires in 2027, and Milan have an option to extend it by another year, but reaching a mutual agreement would clearly be preferable to exercising that right unilaterally. Yesterday Pulisic met supporters at the Milan Store at San Siro, and the enthusiasm surrounding him was obvious in the fans’ faces and in the anticipation of those waiting to see him.
Pulisic at Milanello
It is an unusual international break for Pulisic. Whenever the league pauses, he is normally used to boarding a plane for the United States to join up with his national team. This time is different, and Milan certainly do not mind. In agreement with head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has just renewed his contract through 2030, Christian stayed at Milanello to work and avoid any further setbacks.
He is fine now (in fact, he is doing very well) but until a few weeks ago he was still dealing with the after-effects of the hairline fracture to the fibula in his right leg that he suffered in July during the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. There had also been some frustration in the past over the medical management of Milan’s No. 11 while he was with the national team, which is why the club especially appreciates the current arrangement.
Ending the drought
After spending the first three matches of the season entirely on the sidelines, Pulisic returned to action in Rome against Lazio, providing the assist for Diego Moreira's opening goal, and then really came alive in the following match against Lecce, scoring his first official goal of 2026. It was a release, one that restored the pecking order in the attacking midfield (and now, who is going to leave him out?) while once again confirming 'Captain America' as one of the team’s key players, as pointed out via Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
The conversation easily shifts from talk about the future to matters on the pitch, including the end of a scoring drought that had started to feel endless.
"I feel very good, especially after scoring. It was a really nice goal, actually. My legs are starting to feel right again after the injury, and I’m getting back into shape. We’re working very well as a team with Amorim, and the experience has been positive. I have a very good relationship with him."
A few weeks earlier, Amorim had described him as "upset" because he was not playing.
"It was a little strange for me at the start of the season. Obviously I always want to play, but it wasn’t as though I was angry with him," Christian says with a laugh. "But it’s true that I was coming back from injury. Now I feel good, though, and I hope I can play a little more. Is the No. 10 shirt available? I haven’t really thought about it. I’m actually very happy with No. 11."
Like Roby
He becomes a little shy when told that his goal against Lecce brought to mind a famous Roberto Baggio strike.
"It was one of the best goals I’ve ever scored. It’s an honor to be compared to him."
He also has praise for his fellow American Yunus Musah:
"He has improved a lot, he’s playing very well, and maybe he’s been the best of us so far. He had already played as an interior midfielder before. He’s a top player. Do I need to teach him how to score? We’re working on it together…"
And then he comes to Ramos’s defense:
"I only have good things to say about him. He runs for the entire match. He’s also a great person, and we work very well together."
