Christian Pulisic opens up on relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as USMNT star follows in AC Milan legend's footsteps

Pulisic explained in an interview with Sports Illustrated just how hands-on Ibrahimovic has been in his role, continually checking in with players to make sure they are in best possible space to perform at their best.

Pulisic took over Ibrahimovic's No.11 shirt when he joined Milan in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea and has seen his career go from strength to strength after a somewhat stagnant spell with the London side. After a promising debut campaign, the American winger is having a standout 2024-25 with 21 combined goals and assists from 31 appearances. Having retired from playing in 2023, Ibrahimovic returned to Milan as a senior adviser soon afterwards and has since taken on more and more responsibilities.

"It's been a good relationship, I think right from the start," Pulisic said of dealing with Ibrahimovic. "I think he told me straight up what I can expect from the club. Once you get to know him he's pretty straightforward. He'll tell you exactly what he's saying, what he's thinking, which is important for me. I think through some of the tough times as well in the club, he's reached out to me…he cares a lot about the players.

"He asks, 'How's your head doing'…because he wants us to be able to arrive at training and have everything focused on what's going on the pitch. And I think he makes sure that he tells us if everything is good away from the pitch, that you're going to be good and everything's going to be fine."

Milan face a critical few days ahead, for which Pulisic will have to be on his game. In Serie A on Saturday night, it's Hellas Verona at San Siro, with the Rossoneri down in eighth place, trying to keep pace with the top four. Their Champions League status this season is also on the line in the coming days, hosting Feyenoord in the knockout- play-off second leg, trailing 1-0 on aggregate from last week's encounter.