Christian Pulisic will have all eyes on him entering the 2026 World Cup.
The 27-year-old winger is regarded as the best American soccer player in the game today. He is held in such high regard that many believe he has what it takes to one day surpass both Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey — who hold the records for most Team USA goals at 57 — as the best American soccer player ever.
Pulisic already has won four U.S. Player of the Year awards, tying him with Donovan for the most of any player. He's already the all-time leading American goal scorer and assist provider in the European top five leagues and UEFA Champions League.
As Pulisic prepares for his second World Cup tournament, expectations are high for Team USA. As a host country for the first time since 1994 and arguably their best roster ever, they're expected to make a deep run. Advancing to the quarterfinals — their furthest finish in the modern era — is not out of the equation.
Leading into the World Cup, Pulisic took the time to sit down for a one-on-one interview — on behalf of his partnership with Chips Ahoy! — to talk on a number of topics, including whether or not he's in his prime, his career objectives and his thoughts on being on Team USA.
Q: One of the things that impresses me most about you is your positive outlook on things, and you're very stoic, right? Even if you're not playing amazing. What is the key to that, especially considering all the attention that you have as the best player from America?
Pulisic:Yeah, I think a lot of people that don't even know much about soccer can say whatever they want. I just get the feeling I like to be in a more positive mindset myself, and I'm trusting what I'm doing. If I wasn't happy at all with what I'm doing, then I would change and I wouldn't be happy, but I'm pretty confident in the way I'm playing. I feel really good.
Things haven't quite gone fully my way I feel this year, but it's not gonna make me approach things differently or think negatively. Because I know that things are gonna turn and there's some great moments ahead. I just feel it all happens for a reason and I just trust in the work that I put in always.
Q: What is the key to that? I was watching an interview that you did a few months ago. It may have been with CBS, but I think you said you like playing chess. That's one of the hobbies that you like to do. Are there other stuff that you like to do, certain music that you like to listen to to keep yourself in a good mood?
Pulisic:I spend a lot of time alone in apartments. It's just some of the things I like to do. I listen to all different kinds of music. To be honest. I love to play chess. I like to go golfing. If I can get a free day and just get my head away from…..I just like being relaxed and doing things that don't make me constantly stress and think about what my day job is every day. I just like to get away from it, and I have a great support system, who I talk to every day, and that's what they help me with the most.
Q: Out of curiosity, have you talked to some of the American greats, like Landon Donovan, Clint, Dempsey. I know that they've had great things to say about you, especially Dempsey. Have you talked to them at all recently?
Pulisic:No, I haven't spoken to them. But I'm pretty busy. I'm sure they're very busy as well.
Q: Is there any notable advice that you've ever received from those guys? Anything that stands out directly?
Pulisic:I played a lot with Clint, which was cool. For me, the biggest thing I took from him is just his fearless attitude. He's not afraid to say it as it is. He's like, "This is your team. Now, go take it, go grab that baton. Go crazy, do your thing. Really step up and do it. That's kind of his mentality. I just always liked the way he approached the game a lot.
Q: Obviously you missed the last few friendlies, I think it was at the end of 2025. Is there any concern on your part chemistry wise with the team, or is that not a concern at all considering you've been with them for so long?
Pulisic:No, I was in the last camp with them, and I feel really good with all the guys, and I don't think chemistry is a problem. I always enjoy going back, and some of my closest friends are on that team guys have played with for so many years, and it just feels like family when we get back together.
Q: I know you're only 27 years old, but what are some of the main objectives in your career? And have you given any long term thoughts at a certain age that you want to play until?
Pulisic: I think I have some more personal goals, but being able to play in this World Cup is always a dream of mine. Hopefully having the opportunity to do that this summer is going to be special, and I still have a legacy that I want to leave behind and in my career, what I accomplished in Europe and at a club level as well.
There's a lot of things I still want to reach and accomplish. I don't necessarily have an age in my mind of when I want to play until, I still love this game, and I want to give it everything I can. And when I start to feel that I can't anymore, maybe that's when I'll start to think about it. But I'm really hoping that I'm not close to that yet.
Q: At this stage of your career, do you feel like you're at your very best physically and mentally?
Pulisic:Yeah, I like to think so. I like to think every year of my career, the next year, I'm always at my best. So I like to think that I am right now, yes, and I hope next year I can be an even better version.
Q: Who were the players that you looked up to if I asked, if I put you on the spot? Who's one guy that's your favorite player, who you kind of molded your game after? Who would you say?
Pulisic:I had a lot of favorite players, but I was a big fan of Wayne Rooney, just because I liked the fight that he had on the field. I love his willingness to go try to score goals and do all the different things on the field. I just love the way he played.
Q: You're considered by many to be the best American player. You're the captain of Team USA. What do those things mean to you? I know you're not a very egotistical guy, but what do those things mean to you when you hear that?
Pulisic:I mean, as a kid, I never could have really dreamt to be in this position that I'm in. I feel so lucky to be here and to be doing this. It doesn't seem real sometimes. Yeah, I don't know what to say. I feel blessed, but there's just so much more that I want to accomplish. And whatever people say about me, it's at the end of the day, it's really not why I play. I play because I love it, and I have goals that I want to reach, and I want to do it together with my family and my sports system. I do it for all of them, and that's just how I feel about it.
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