'Bad look for Christian Pulisic' - Lionel Messi used as example for USMNT star as Alexi Lalas reacts to AC Milan forward ruling himself out of Gold Cup squad

On the back of a long season at AC Milan, which has seen him post personal bests on the goal front, Pulisic - who captained his country at the Copa America in 2024 - has decided that he needs to take a rest.

As a result, he will not form part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans when another trophy is chased down this summer. Pulisic has not been included in the United States squad for their Gold Cup campaign, as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup finals on home soil continues.

Former USMNT star Lalas is disappointed to see star names withdrawing from international duty, with Argentine icon Messi - who has 191 caps to his name - proving that it is possible to nurse your body through gruelling schedules on an annual basis.

Lalas has told his State of the Union podcast: "When it comes to Christian Pulisic, here’s the problem I have. He is, when all is said and done, going to go down as the best male American soccer player in history. There will be some argument there, but it’s heading in that direction. He is, without a doubt, a starter for this team and he changes the game when he is on. He has been starting with this team since he was a teenager, he has brought it forward.

"Christian Pulisic, because of how good he is, and fairly so, has been treated differently. However, I cannot relate to someone in his position, who is a national team player, opting out, not wanting to represent your team.

"I played in a different time, but I would bring up the fact that the time I played in, it was bad! It wasn’t even close to the resources and the opportunity and, let’s be honest, the protection that the players have - chartered flights, or the way the games are referred, or the amenities that they have, or the medical. Yes, they play a lot of games. But you know who plays a lot of games? Messi."

Lalas added: "I cannot relate to a player when his country needs him and wants him to represent, that you say no - especially in this moment. This is a bad look for Christian Pulisic, but it’s also a bad look for this team at the exact moment when they need to be doing the opposite. This summer you need to come out with people coming out saying ‘yeah, I’m jacked, I cannot wait to watch the World Cup next summer because of what I’ve seen’.

"This is not the summer and the time to go missing, you use this summer as the last opportunity to be in a tournament situation - and, by the way, in the country that you are playing the tournament next year. You say no. Fine, if that’s what you want to do then you had better bring it a year from now when they are playing in the World Cup.

"I just think it’s a bad message, it’s a bad look and I cannot relate to that. Not just the team but the country, a year out from the World Cup, needed him to come in and be part of this team that changes the vibe and the way that this team is looked at. He’s not going to be there, and that’s disappointing."

The United States will open their quest for Gold Cup glory against Trinidad & Tobago on June 15. They are also set to face Haiti and Saudi Arabia in Group D, with a positive response to Nations League disappointment in the spring being demanded.