Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Christian Pulisic

How Christian Pulisic built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Christian Pulisic is an American professional soccer player, playing as a winger for AC Milan and the United States national team. Widely considered one of the best North American players ever, he is nicknamed "Captain America."

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: Trial at Chelsea's Cobham base

In the summer of 2010, Christian Pulisic went on a five-day trial at Chelsea's Cobham base.

December 13, 2013: Goal for U-17 team against Brazil

On December 13, 2013, Christian Pulisic played for the U-17 team against Brazil at a U17 friendly tournament in Florida and scored a goal in the championship 4–1 win.

February 2015: Signing with Borussia Dortmund

In February 2015, Borussia Dortmund signed 17-year-old Christian Pulisic, assigning him first to their U17 squad.

2015: FIFA U-17 World Cup

In 2015, Christian Pulisic captained the U-17 team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he scored a goal and provided an assist in three games.

January 2016: Promotion to Borussia Dortmund's senior team

In January 2016, Christian Pulisic, at age 17, was promoted to the senior team of Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, after progressing quickly through the team's youth academy.

January 2016: Friendly matches with Borussia Dortmund

In January 2016, during the winter break with the first team, Christian Pulisic played the second half of two friendly matches, scoring one goal and assisting another. He also played 90 minutes in a friendly against Union Berlin, scoring a goal and assisting another.

January 30, 2016: Bundesliga debut

On January 30, 2016, Christian Pulisic made his Bundesliga debut in a 2–0 win against Ingolstadt, coming on as a second-half substitute for Adrián Ramos.

March 2016: Senior national team debut

In March 2016, at the age of 17, Christian Pulisic made his senior national team debut for the United States.

March 27, 2016: Senior Team Debut

On March 27, 2016, Christian Pulisic was called up to the senior team. Two days later he made his debut in a World Cup qualifying game against Guatemala, becoming the youngest American to play in a World Cup qualifier.

September 2, 2016: Youngest goal scorer in World Cup qualifier

On September 2, 2016, Christian Pulisic scored two goals and recorded an assist in a World Cup qualifying match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He became the youngest person to score in a World Cup qualifier for the United States and the youngest player to score a brace in American history.

2016: International Champions Cup and Champions League Debut

In 2016, during the International Champions Cup friendly pre-season tournament, Christian Pulisic scored against Manchester City. He also became Dortmund's youngest player ever to play in the UEFA Champions League.

January 23, 2017: New deal with Dortmund

On January 23, 2017, Christian Pulisic signed a new deal with Dortmund which would keep him at the club until 2020.

March 8, 2017: First Champions League goal

On March 8, 2017, Christian Pulisic scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 4–0 victory over Benfica, becoming Dortmund's youngest ever scorer in the competition.

August 5, 2017: Goal in DFL-Supercup

On August 5, 2017, Christian Pulisic scored the first goal in the DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich.

November 20, 2018: Youngest USMNT Captain

On November 20, 2018, Christian Pulisic became the youngest player to captain the United States national team in a friendly defeat to Italy. He was 20 years and 63 days old.

2018: Loan back to Dortmund

In 2018, Christian Pulisic was loaned back to Dortmund for the remainder of the 2018-19 season after signing with Chelsea.

2018: Runner-up for Kopa Trophy

In 2018, Christian Pulisic's performances made him runner-up of the Kopa Trophy, which is presented to the world's best player under the age of 21.

2018: Dortmund deployment on the wing

Since the 2018–19 season, Christian Pulisic was most often deployed on the wing for Dortmund.

January 2, 2019: Signing with Chelsea

On January 2, 2019, Christian Pulisic signed with Premier League club Chelsea for an estimated £58 million transfer fee, while being loaned back to Dortmund for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.

January 2019: Transfer to Chelsea

In January 2019, Christian Pulisic moved to Premier League club Chelsea in a transfer worth $73 million (£57.6 million), making him the most expensive North American player of all time.

March 26, 2019: Youngest to Score 10 International Goals

On March 26, 2019, Christian Pulisic became the youngest United States player to score 10 international goals at 20 years, 189 days old.

August 11, 2019: Premier League debut for Chelsea

On August 11, 2019, Christian Pulisic made his Premier League debut for Chelsea in a 4–0 defeat to Manchester United.

October 23, 2019: Assisted goal against Ajax

On October 23, 2019, during a Champions League match against Ajax, Christian Pulisic assisted Michy Batshuayi's late goal in a 1–0 win.

October 26, 2019: First hat-trick for Chelsea

On October 26, 2019, Christian Pulisic scored his first goals for Chelsea, completing a "perfect" hat-trick in a 4–2 away win against Burnley, becoming the second American to achieve the feat in the Premier League and the youngest hat-trick scorer in Chelsea's history.

June 21, 2020: Equalizer against Aston Villa

On June 21, 2020, Christian Pulisic scored the equalizer in Chelsea's 2–1 win against Aston Villa, after recovering from injury during the Premier League's resumption after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

2020: Contract expiration with Dortmund

Christian Pulisic's deal with Dortmund, signed in January 23, 2017, was to keep him at the club until 2020.

2020: UEFA Champions League win

During the 2020–21 season, Christian Pulisic was part of the Chelsea team that won the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, becoming the first American to play in a Champions League final.

April 3, 2021: Opening goal against West Bromwich Albion

On April 3, 2021, Christian Pulisic scored the opening goal in a 2–5 home league defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

June 6, 2021: CONCACAF Nations League Victory

On June 6, 2021, Christian Pulisic captained the United States national team to a 3–2 victory in the CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico, scoring the winning goal by converting a penalty in the 114th minute.

August 11, 2021: UEFA Super Cup win

On August 11, 2021, Christian Pulisic won the 2021 UEFA Super Cup and scored in the penalty shootout.

2021: CONCACAF Nations League win

In 2021, Christian Pulisic won the CONCACAF Nations League.

2021: UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup wins

In the 2021–22 season, Christian Pulisic won the 2021 UEFA Super Cup and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea.

January 2, 2022: Equalizer against Liverpool

On January 2, 2022, Christian Pulisic scored the equalizer in a 2–2 draw at home against Liverpool.

March 27, 2022: First International Hat-Trick

On March 27, 2022, Christian Pulisic scored his first international hat-trick for the U.S. men's national team during their win over Panama in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.

October 8, 2022: Goal under Graham Potter

On October 8, 2022, Christian Pulisic scored in his first start under new Chelsea manager Graham Potter, a 3–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup Performance

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Christian Pulisic assisted Tim Weah, received two Man of the Match awards against England and Iran after scoring the winning goal against Iran, and assisted Haji Wright against the Netherlands.

June 2023: Move to AC Milan

In June 2023, Christian Pulisic moved to Serie A club AC Milan, beginning in the 2023–24 season.

July 13, 2023: Transfer to AC Milan completed

On July 13, 2023, Christian Pulisic completed a transfer to Serie A club AC Milan on a four-year contract.

2023: Moved to Right Wing

During his time with AC Milan, in 2023, Christian Pulisic moved to the right wing due to the presence of Rafael Leão on the left. Later in the 2023–24 season, he was routinely deployed as a central attacking midfielder.

2023: CONCACAF Nations League Finals

During the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Christian Pulisic scored a brace against Mexico in the semi-finals and was awarded Man of the Match. He was awarded Player of the Tournament for the 2022–23 competition.

2023: CONCACAF Nations League win and best player award

In 2023, Christian Pulisic won the CONCACAF Nations League and was awarded the best player of the tournament.

2023: Central Deployment

Towards the end of the 2023–24 Serie A season Christian Pulisic was deployed more regularly in central areas.

February 18, 2024: Goal and assist against Monza

On February 18, 2024, Christian Pulisic came off the bench against Monza and recorded a goal and an assist to level the score 2–2, though Milan would lose 2–4.

August 24, 2024: First goal of the 2024-25 Serie A season

On August 24, 2024, Christian Pulisic scored his first goal of the 2024–25 Serie A season in AC Milan's 1–2 defeat to Parma.

2024: CONCACAF Nations League win

In 2024, Christian Pulisic won the CONCACAF Nations League.

2024: Supercoppa Italiana win

In 2024, Christian Pulisic won the Supercoppa Italiana with AC Milan.

2024: Double Figures in Goals

In 2024, Christian Pulisic's goal in the Supercoppa Italiana made him the first American player in a top five European league since Clint Dempsey to reach double figures in consecutive seasons.

2024: Contract end speculation

In 2024, it was speculated that Christian Pulisic was going to leave Chelsea before his contract ended, due to a lack of starts and the arrival of new attackers.

2024: Third Nations League Trophy

In the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Christian Pulisic captained the U.S. in the 2–0 victory against Mexico in the final to secure his third Nations League trophy in a row.

2024: Goal and assist in Copa América

In the 2024 Copa América, Christian Pulisic recorded a goal and assist in the opening 2–0 group stage win over Bolivia and was awarded Man of the Match.

2024: Fastest USMNT player to 50 goal contributions

On November 18, 2024, Christian Pulisic became the fastest USMNT player to record 50 goal contributions after a goal against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League.

January 6, 2025: Supercoppa Italiana Title

On January 6, 2025, Christian Pulisic won the 2024 Supercoppa Italiana with AC Milan against Inter Milan, contributing an equalizer and a game-winning assist in the 3–2 victory. He also finished as the tournament's joint-top goalscorer.