Christian Pulisic, the star winger for the U.S. men's national soccer team, fractured his right leg during Monday's 4-1 World Cup defeat to Belgium—a loss that eliminated the Americans from the tournament and ended their historic run on home soil, a source familiar with the injury told The Associated Press.
The 27-year-old Hershey, Pennsylvania, native sustained a bone bruise and a microfracture of his tibia and fibula. The exact moment of injury remains unclear, but he collided with Belgium captain Youri Tielemans early in the second half.
Pulisic is expected to be fit for AC Milan's Serie A opener next month, though the injury adds to a career marked by physical setbacks for both club and country. He failed to score in the loss and went goalless throughout this year's World Cup.
The defeat sparked a wave of criticism on social media targeting Pulisic and other key American players, as fans vented frustration over the team's performance in what was widely seen as a defining moment for U.S. soccer. The tournament was the first World Cup hosted in the United States since the early 1990s and drew record television ratings and ticket sales during the group stage.
Pulisic's injury comes amid heightened political tension surrounding the match. Former President Donald Trump's intervention in a red card decision for Folarin Balogun sparked global outrage before the game, and Belgian officials blasted Trump's call to FIFA as an assault on soccer's rules. The controversy added a political layer to an already high-stakes matchup.
Security was also a major theme during the tournament. The FBI seized more than 600 unauthorized drones at World Cup venues, underscoring the authorities' aggressive posture in protecting the event.
For Pulisic, the injury is the latest in a series of physical challenges that have hampered his availability for the national team and his club career abroad. The U.S. squad now faces an uncertain future as it rebuilds after an early exit that fell short of expectations.
