Christian Pulisic wasn’t happy about false reports of him seeking a summer departure from AC Milan and spoke publicly about the situation on Thursday.
Fans of Pulisic know that the American star is rather reserved when it comes to speaking out, so to see him so openly refute reports was surprising.
Italian media including outlet La Rupubblica reported that Pulisic, along with his teammate Youssouf Fofana, had a huge fight with new manager Sergio Conceicao following the disappointing Champions League exit vs. Feyenoord on Tuesday.
One report even claimed that Pulisic spoke to higher ups at Milan and said they needed to choose between him or the new manager, or else the USMNT star was leaving the club in the summer.
Pulisic said on Thursday that the reports were “fake news” and that he’s never had an argument with Conceicao.
Pulisic Conceicao fight rumors denied
Christian Pulisic: "Non ho mai litigato con il Mister e non ho mai chiesto di andare via. Io sto benissimo al Milan e voglio continuare a vestire questa maglia. Leggere queste bugie è inaccettabile, ma continuiamo a rimanere tutti uniti e a lottare insieme sul campo, per il Club… pic.twitter.com/VBjCrtwATm
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 20, 2025
"I have never argued with the coach and I have never asked to leave,” Pulisic said.
“I am very happy at Milan and I want to continue wearing this shirt. Reading these lies is unacceptable, but let's all continue to remain united and fight together on the pitch, for the club and for our fans."
American fans have been displeased with Conceicao over what they believe to be favoritism toward certain players. The Portuguese manager made Pulisic his first substitution in both legs of the Champions League playoff vs. Feyenoord.
Despite Pulisic leading the team in goal contributions this season, he was substituted around the hour mark in both games. Meanwhile Portuguese star Rafael Leão and Portuguese newcomer João Félix were left in far longer with the latter playing the full 90 of both games.
USMNT fans' reactions to the drama
Reminder Sérgio Conceição decided to sub out Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic when AC Milan NEEDED 1 more goal and for some reason kept João Félix on the pitch... ❤️
I really don't understand Conceição's obsession with João Félix man... I just don't get it ♂️ pic.twitter.com/jsrLZsM6On— Nabhuto (@Nabhuto) February 18, 2025
Pulisic should hold off on signing that extension with Milan. If Conceicao is going to treat him this way in favor of Felix, Pulisic needs to seriously consider moving during the summer transfer window.
— Nick Hanna (@misanthrope1967) February 18, 2025
Would’ve kept Pulisic and Gimenez on. Joao Felix off much sooner https://t.co/40QcM640yi
— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) February 18, 2025
Pulisic is our smartest and hardest working attacker and shouldn’t have come off if we need to scrape a goal from nothing.
Felix doesn’t contribute anything on either end nor can he spark transition. All around useless and only portuguese bias has him on the pitch.— Zak☔️ (@MilanZak6) February 18, 2025
Pulisic has also been benched and come on as a substitute in Milan’s previous two Serie A matches.
Some USMNT fans are already having flashbacks to Pulisic’s Chelsea days when new managers didn’t want to use him in their plans.
Milan’s next game will be against Torino on Saturday. The Rossoneri sit seventh in the table and have an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League again next season.
