Christian Pulisic reveals Lionel Messi dream that would require MLS transfer – will it come true for AC Milan’s USMNT star?

The United States international has been a big fan of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for several years, with the Argentine icon having acted as a source of inspiration for players all over the world. Pulisic is running out of time in which to make his professional dream a reality, with Messi now 36 years of age, and a transfer to MLS may be required at some stage as the all-time great has committed to an initial two-and-a-half-year contract at Inter Miami.

Pulisic told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked to pick out his perfect team-mate: “A footballer it would be nice to play with at least once? Messi, I’ve been watching him for ages.”

For now, Pulisic is on the books of Serie A giants AC Milan – having joined them from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. He has settled quickly in Italy and added on those he is working alongside at San Siro: “The craziest? [Yacine] Adli, he amuses me. The quietest? Maybe [Pierre] Kalulu. The smartest on the pitch? [Rade] Krunic. [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek is very strong, I know him well. [Tijjani] Reijnders has a great ability with the ball, he’s special. For me he is top, a top player. [Rafael] Leao is already one of the best players in the world, on that wing with him and Theo [Hernandez] we are very strong. I have a lot of fun playing with them. I would love to go on holiday with Rafa. [Olivier] Giroud is the same as at Chelsea in many things and in many senses. He impresses me because he always scores, he’s always in the right position. On the pitch we get on very well and then he’s a great person.”

Pulisic has made an immediate impact at Milan, with two goals recorded through his three Serie A appearances to date. He has been away with the USMNT during the international break, but will be back in Italy for a derby date with Inter on Saturday.