Christian Pulisic faced criticism from U.S. soccer fans following the national team's defeat to Belgium in the World Cup's Round of 16. Social media commentary focused on Pulisic's performance during the match and his reaction to Belgium scoring their third goal, which was captured by Fox cameras.
Fans on platforms like X, formerly Twitter, expressed disappointment with Pulisic's play, with some calling him the 'laziest player of the game' and questioning his commitment. One user wrote, "Bum ready to walk out as soon as the goal went in. Never seen a more trash so called star player ever." Others suggested Pulisic's performance was inconsistent and that he should have been substituted earlier in the match.
Pulisic, often referred to as the 'face' of American soccer, had a performance described as poor by some critics. He turned the ball over a team-high eleven times during the match against Belgium before being substituted in the 59th minute, partially due to an ankle injury. The AC Milan star had entered the World Cup campaign having not scored for his club since December. While he provided an assist in a late-May friendly against Senegal, his overall tournament performance did not meet the expectations set by his previous hype.
After the game, Pulisic addressed his injury, stating, "I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play. I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It's just an unfortunate way to finish." Despite the criticism, Pulisic reflected on his tournament performance, saying he felt his level was high and that he was disappointed he couldn't help the team advance past a strong opponent. He added that he tried to stay positive, acknowledging both his own and the team's efforts.
Reports indicate Pulisic has scored one goal and provided three assists in his last 14 games for the national team. Some fans expressed a desire for a new figurehead for U.S. Soccer, suggesting Pulisic was no longer the right person for that role. However, one comment showed sympathy, with a user writing, "I really wanted better for him."