Usmnt Legend Questions Christian Pulisic’s Captaincy Ahead Of 2026 World Cup

Former U.S. men’s nationalist squad prima Alexi Lalas took purpose astatine Christian Pulisic, claiming nan American superstar is not nan skipper nan USMNT “needs aliases wants” up of nan 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Pulisic has travel nether occurrence complete nan past twelvemonth for his activity and committedness to nan Stars and Stripes. A drawstring of underwhelming performances and results, mixed pinch nan determination to skip nan Gold Cup this summer, subjected nan 26-year-old to a activity of criticism.

With conscionable 8 months to spell until nan USMNT kicks disconnected its 2026 World Cup run successful Los Angeles, nan sound is only getting louder for Pulisic, who has nan unit of wearing nan captain’s armband for nan big federation successful nan biggest tourney of his career.

Lalas, a vocal professional of nan AC Milan forward, did not clasp backmost erstwhile addressing Pulisic’s captaincy connected nan State of nan Union podcast.

“I don’t deliberation that Christian Pulisic is nan skipper that this squad needs aliases that this squad wants. The problem is, who other is there? Who’s coming astir nan bend? Nobody,” Lalas said.

The 55-year-old went connected to mention Chris Richards, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, but admitted those players are “not rather location yet.”

Christian Pulisic is nan leader of Mauricio Pochettino’s attack. / Omar Vega/Getty Images

Pulisic has been nan USMNT’s standout subordinate since he burst onto nan scene, displaying a talent that kickstarted nan Stars and Stripes’ “golden generation.”

The Pennsylvania autochthonal already has nan fifth-most all-time goals for nan USMNT, chasing records group by Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. Pulisic besides stars for AC Milan and has a agelong database of some Serie A and Champions League accolades to his name.

Yet, according to Lalas, his accomplishment should not guarantee him nan captaincy of nan USMNT.

“The conception that your champion subordinate is not needfully equipped to beryllium a skipper is thing new. We person seen it complete nan years and it is wholly valid. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t person passion.

“Oftentimes, it’s not needfully nan champion player; it’s not needfully nan personification who has done nan astir successful their career. It’s not moreover needfully personification that’s larger than life. And oftentimes you person to beryllium capable to return a measurement distant and say, ‘This is what’s bully for nan team,’” Lalas said.

It mightiness beryllium immoderate clip earlier Pulisic tin return and perchance beryllium Lalas wrong; nan winger suffered a hamstring injury during nan October world model and AC Milan person reportedly asked Mauricio Pochettino not to telephone up their superstar successful November.

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