Christian Pulisic & Co. blasted for missing international duty as USMNT legend Landon Donovan makes Cristiano Ronaldo comparison after Portugal's UEFA Nations League triumph

Pulisic, who is fondly known as 'Captain America' in his homeland, has ruled himself out of Gold Cup action at international level in 2025. He is not the only one to make that call, with post-season breaks being sought after gruelling domestic campaigns.

Personal bests were posted by Pulisic at AC Milan in 2024-25, with his stock continuing to soar, but no major honours will be chased down on home soil this summer with the United States. That big call, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino relying on others to provide inspiration, has generated lively debate.

USMNT legend Donovan is among those to have been left less than impressed at supposed star turns skipping international duty - especially as all-time great Ronaldo is still going strong at the age of 40 and picking up prestigious prizes with Portugal.

Donovan told FOX Sports after watching CR7 put his body on the line for the good of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League-winning cause: “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.

“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.”

Pulisic has played 50 games for Milan in back-to-back seasons, with 17 goals recorded in the campaign just gone. He has never won the Gold Cup, having finished as a runner-up in 2019, but is prioritising club fitness for 2025-26 over the pursuit of international silverware.