Bucs legend makes plea to Riveiro & Broos regarding 'highly talented' Mofokeng

Give Carsley the England job right now! 

PSL Transfers & Rumours: Chiefs likely to loan Mthethwa

14 Best Betting Sites for September 2024: Our Best for South Africa

PSL Done Deals: City sign Namibia international Petrus

'Mofokeng disrecpected Ugandans! Pirates stars must start ahead of Downs players against South Sudan'

Zwane sends message to Mngqithi - Mshishi explains why he plays better with Bafana than with Downs

Klopp prepares to take charge of first game since Liverpool exit

GONE! Chiefs hit by major setback - One of Nabi's assistants leaves Soweto giants 

Nabi praised for imitating Mosimane after Da Cruz departure - 'He got rid of potential infighting'

Sono on Tito comparisons - 'You can't compare an elephant to an ant'

'Wydad AC fans behave like Chiefs supporters! Love or hate him, Mokwena is a top coach'

Article continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="better-collective-widget">{"type":"better-collective-widget","data":{}}</script>Article continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Pulisic plying his trade in Europe for over a decade</li><li>Has gone through many highs and lows</li><li>Admitted to facing anti-USA attitude</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'Not caring what people think' - Christian Pulisic opens up on battling anti-American attitudes as USMNT & AC Milan star made a name for himself in Europe

A proud alumnus of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, Pulisic could cross the Atlantic even right after his 16th birthday as he boasts of having Croatian lineage which allowed him to start playing in a different continent at an earlier age rather than at 18. Borussia Dortmund made the most of this and in February 2015 he was integrated into their U-17 squad. Since then the USMNT star has not looked back.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Pulisic went on to represent the Black and Yellows for four years before making a move to Chelsea in 2019. And after a lacklustre four years, according to his lofty standards, he completed a transfer to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-christian-pulisic-three-amigos-goal-celebration-promise-new-routine-usmnt-star-ac-milan-tour-united-states/blt2fd39d30f01f9e46" target="_blank">AC Milan in the summer of 2023 </a>on a four-year deal that would see him stay in San Siro until 2027.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite plying in his trade in some of the biggest clubs in Europe, the USMNT forward complained of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-ac-milan-christian-pulisic-dressed-soccer-player-every-halloween-jimmy-fallon/bltc4d629eda6dcac8b" target="_blank">facing an anti-American attitude</a> and even spoke of a "culture shock" after landing in Italy. “Yeah it’s different, I’ve been in Europe for over 10 years now which sounds crazy," he told in an interview with CBS Sports. "It’s difficult at the beginning, I think people definitely look at this guy and say you know he’s an American guy I don’t want him taking my spot. You need a strong mentality and that’s been one of my strengths.“Not caring what people think, showing people what I can do and hopefully, they’ll accept me for who I am. It can be a bit of a culture shock um like I said I’ve been in Europe for so long I’m almost used to it. However, at the beginning of last season, I remember when I didn’t speak a word of Italian you go into the first training sessions and the coach is yelling things."

WHAT PULISIC SAID

Despite the challenges, Pulisic has settled well in Serie A. He emerged as one of the key players in the Milan dressing room last season with 15 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances. He has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-christian-pulisic-usmnt-ac-milan-squad-copa-america/blt8999ed09c915a192" target="_blank">already rejoined the squad after a disappointing Copa America campaign</a> with the USMNT. He hopes to hit the ground running in the pre-season friendly matches against Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, respectively.

WHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC? 

'Not caring what people think' - Christian Pulisic opens up on battling anti-American attitudes as USMNT & AC Milan star made a name for himself in Europe | Goal.com South Africa

Christian Pulisic admitted to battling anti-American attitudes in Europe as the USMNT &amp; AC Milan star fought back the challenges to rise and shine.

&apos;Not caring what people think&apos; - Christian Pulisic opens up on battling anti-American attitudes as USMNT &amp; AC Milan star made a name for himself in Europe