Christian Pulisic is the next great hope for U.S. Soccer, but how does he compare to Black Panther, the star of the recent smash hit Marvel film of the same name? Let’s break it down.
Athleticism
Christian Pulisic has a 91 pace rating in FIFA 18 and is a sick goal scorer. Black Panther has enhanced strength, speed, agility, stamina and reflexes, but he needs the help of a special herb grown only in Wakanda,
Edge: Christian Pulisic.
Romance
As a teenager, Black Panther fell in love with Storm from the X-Men and had a storied romance. According to his father, 19-year-old Pulisic has never had a meaningful romantic relationship.
Edge: Black Panther.
Technical Skills
Christian Pulisic can thread a pass like Xavi, nutmeg Arjen Robben and has a first touch softer than driven snow. Black Panther has a PhD in physics from Oxford University.
Edge: Christian Pulisic.
Teammates
Christian Pulisic plays alongside Marco Reus, Mario Gotze and Shinji Kagawa at Borussia Dortmund and Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and DeAndre Yedlin for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Black Panther teams up with the likes of Iron Man, Thor, Dr. Strange, Hulk (not the Brazilian), Captain America (not Landon Donovan) and Scarlett Johansson with the Avengers.
Edge: Black Panther.
Accomplishments
Black Panther stopped Erik Killmonger, his cousin, from usurping control of Wakanda and starting a global revolution. He’ll also presumably save the universe from certain destruction in Avengers: Infinity War. But Christian Pulisic helped Dortmund win the DFB Pokal Cup and was named the U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year in 2017.
Edge: Christian Pulisic. An American doing great soccer things is more impressive than a superhero doing great superhero things.
Final edge: Christian Pulisic 3, Black Panther 2.
The Wakandan king has a lot going for him, but Christian Pulisic edges him out by a whisker.
