Pochettino calls on Pulisic to step up: “He has to be our Messi”

With the 2026 World Cup just over a year away, the U.S. men’s national team is under scrutiny. The host nation has lost three straight matches—against Panama and Canada in the Nations League, and most recently a friendly defeat to Turkey—raising doubts about the team’s direction. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, looking to steady the ship, has issued a clear challenge: Christian Pulisic must lead the way.

“I think he’s a very talented player who can help us win,” Pochettino said during an appearance on Unfiltered Soccer, in conversation with U.S. legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. “People [in the U.S.] compare Messi with Christian Pulisic. I don’t want to be disrespectful to either of them, but in this country, Pulisic has to be our Messi.”

The Argentine coach emphasized Pulisic’s symbolic role for the team and the country: “He’s an iconic player. If you ask kids on the street to name a footballer, they’ll say Pulisic.”

Despite the coach’s high expectations, Pulisic won’t play in this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 26-year-old forward has opted to skip the tournament following a taxing club season with AC Milan, where he played 50 matches. Instead, he’ll focus on recovery and preparation for a packed 2026 calendar—with the World Cup on home soil as the ultimate goal.