Christian Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture in his leg during the USMNT’s humiliating World Cup exit against Belgium.
The 27-year-old was forced off the field in the second half of Monday’s 4-1 defeat after an awkward collision with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans.
The Daily Mail understands medical assessments revealed the extent of the damage to be a microfracture of the tibia/fibula, which will sideline him for several weeks.
The incident occurred in the 52nd minute when Pulisic wound up to take a shot from the edge of the penalty area, only to accidentally kick the back of Tielemans’ calf.
Despite attempting to play through the obvious pain for several minutes, a hobbling Pulisic was substituted in the 59th minute by head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
‘I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,’ Pulisic said following the match. He was later spotted on crutches at the team hotel.
The full extent of Christian Pulisic’s injury have been revealed after the USA’s loss to Belgium
Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture in his leg during the humiliating 4-1 defeat
Fortunately for Pulisic, the recovery timeline means he will not miss months of action.
He is expected to return to training in August ahead of AC Milan’s Serie A opener against Torino on August 23.
Milan’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, threw his support behind the winger on Wednesday amid fierce criticism that he has faced since the game.
‘I know the strengths of Pulisic, I believe in him, he will be supported in our club,’ Amorim said. ‘I know he had some criticism after the World Cup elimination, but I am here to say we believe a lot in him, and have a clear plan to use the qualities he has.’
As Amorim noted, Pulisic has faced plenty of criticism from US sports stars.
When asked about the injury in the immediate aftermath of the loss, the winger told Fox: ‘It’s just frustrating to end like that, of course, but now I have time to rest, so hopefully it’ll be OK.’
The casual remark infuriated USWNT icon Carli Lloyd, who fired back on social media: ‘You rest when your playing career is over. Period.’
Her brutal post came after she had slammed Pulisic on Fox’s postgame coverage of the USA’s elimination.
Fortunately for Pulisic, the recovery timeline means he will not miss months of action
Carli Lloyd tore into Pulisic after USA crashed out the World Cup against Belgium
‘I think big time players, you wanted some of those big time players to step up in big moments,’ Lloyd said on Fox in the post-game inquest.
‘I’ve got to be honest, I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. Whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game and really, the whole World Cup. Little glimpses here and there.
‘I felt like they lost the game before they even stepped out onto the pitch. I’m not sure why. I don’t know the reasons but just from the beginning – chasing, tentative, scared, not confident on the ball.’
USMNT legend Landon Donovan was equally scathing on his podcast, declaring: ‘You would have had to f***ing drag me off the field.’
