Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players in history, currently showcases his extraordinary talent for MLS club Inter Miami. Any team in the world would undoubtedly benefit from Messi’s presence, and the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) is no exception. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to take place in the United States, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called on Christian Pulisic to step up and emulate Messi’s transformative impact for the national team.
Pulisic, a former star at Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, now plies his trade for Serie A giants AC Milan. In the 2024-25 season, he demonstrated his quality, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. As the USMNT prepares to perform in front of home fans in 2026, Pochettino has urged Pulisic to take on a Messi-esque role and lead the team to success.
Speaking on the Unified Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard podcast, Pochettino praised Pulisic’s recent form: “Christian in the last year has shown great quality. He’s performing in Europe, and also is performing here in the national team. He’s a very talented player that can help us win.” He added, “People compare Messi with Christian Pulisic. I don’t want to be disrespectful with Messi or Pulisic, but I think in this country, Pulisic should be our Messi. Because he’s an iconic player, and if you ask a kid on the street to name one soccer player in this country, it’s Pulisic.”
Undoubtedly, Christian Pulisic is the standout player for the USMNT. He played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Messi led Argentina to glory. Pulisic boasts an impressive record for the national team, with 32 goals and 20 assists in 78 appearances. As he gears up for the 2025-26 season with AC Milan, Pulisic will aim to carry his form into the 2026 World Cup.
The question remains: can the U.S. find a ‘clone’ of the Argentine legend in Christian Pulisic? With Pochettino’s encouragement and Pulisic’s undeniable talent, the stage is set for the AC Milan star to become the transformative figure the USMNT needs on home soil.