Pulisic’s verdict on new Milan signings and World Cup ‘in the back of my mind’ | OneFootball

Christian Pulisic admits the 2026 World Cup will be ‘in the back of my mind’ this season and praises new Milan signings Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric.

Pulisic released an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, not only discussing Milan’s results and performances during the pre-season.

Pulisic has already crossed paths with some new signings, especially Italy international Samuele Ricci, who moved to San Siro from Torino.

Pulisic gives verdict on Ricci and Modric

HONG KONG, CHINA – JULY 26: Samuele Ricci of AC Milan looks on during the Liverpool FC v AC Milan Pre-Season Friendly match at Kai Tak Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

“I like him because he keeps it simple and never tries to overdo,” Pulicis said.

“He does precisely what the team needs. He has excellent technique, controls the ball well and passes it with quality. I really admire the way he plays.”

Modric has also signed with the Rossoneri but will only join the team in the coming days, having played in the Club World Cup with Real Madrid until a few weeks ago.

“He will bring experience, an essential quality during matches,” Pulisic noted.

“He’s been a player of exceptional quality for years. I used to watch him as a fan, and then I faced him on the pitch too. Taking the ball off him is hard, and on top of that, he’s a leader who will bring consistency and solidity to Milan. He’ll be valuable on and off the pitch.”

Milan won’t be playing in the Champions League and Pulisic predicted that the Scudetto race won’t only involve Napoli and Inter in 2025-26.

“There are many strong teams in Serie A. I don’t expect it to be a head-to-head between Napoli and Inter because they’ll have many tough opponents,” he said.

“We’ll try to win as many matches as possible and finish as high as we can.”

The new campaign will end with the 2026 World Cup, an event that has already thrilled Pulisic.

Pulisic: ‘World Cup is in the back of my mind’

epa11949848 AC Milan Christian Pulisic scores a penalty goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match US Lecce – AC Milan at the Via del Mare stadium in Lecce, Italy, 8 March 2025. EPA-EFE/ABBONDANZA SCURO LEZZI

“It will be a great season and many players will want to give their all because it will end with the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada,” he said.

“For me, playing in the World Cup in my country is a dream, and I want to work hard to be ready for the biggest event in world football. I’m thrilled at the thought of being there, but first, there’s an entire season to play in a Milan shirt. Right now, I’m fully focused on that, even if the thought of the World Cup is in the back of my mind.”

Pulisic was Milan’s best scorer in 2024-25 with 17 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions. The American has netted 32 goals in 100 games in his two-season spell at San Siro.