‘Look in the mirror’ - Christian Pulisic's father fires back at USMNT legend Landon Donovan over Cristiano Ronaldo comparison

Christian Pulisic's father, Mark, criticized U.S. legend Landon Donovan for his comments regarding his son's absence from the U.S. men's national team this summer, Sunday evening.

The Milan star and U.S. Soccer came to an agreement that the 26-year-old would be able to sit out the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, after two years of a heavily congested schedule left him feeling fatigued.

Donovan, part of the FOX studio show alongside Alexi Lalas for the UEFA Nations League finals on Sunday, did not name Pulisic in his comments, but subtly aimed a dig at him on-air after watching 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo lift the tournament trophy with the Portuguese national team.

READ MORE:Is Pulisic justified in taking a break?

Mark responded Sunday evening, reminding the world through an Instagram post that Donovan took a sabbatical in 2013, which ultimately cost him a spot on the 2014 World Cup roster.

"This guy is .. talking about commitment.. look in the mirror + grow a pair and call names out or are you afraid next time you want an interview you will get rejected again," Mark Pulisic said in his post.

Donovan's comments arrived after the camera showed Ronaldo, 40, crying on the pitch with his head in his hands, celebrating.

"This is what it means to represent your country. And if you don’t want to take this, as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don’t come in," he said.

He added, “This is what it means. He’s [Ronaldo] 40 years old, he played a long-a*s season, he’s tired, he was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process. And I can't help but think about some of our [USMNT] guys on vacation right now, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s p*ssing me off.”

The USMNT last won the Gold Cup in 2021, and Pulisic last played in the competition in 2019. Mexico were named champions in 2023.

The U.S. star is currently in his offseason, not with the national team, and Milan does not report for preseason training until July.

The USMNT, meanwhile, has one final tune-up match ahead of the Gold Cup, Tuesday evening, when they host Switzerland in an international friendly.