As 2026 unfolds, the American star is facing one of the most challenging stretches of his career.
Christian Pulisic remains one of the most influential figures in Milan’s recent resurgence, a player whose arrival brought goals, leadership, and consistency to the club’s attack. Yet as 2026 unfolds, the American star is facing one of the most challenging stretches of his career. Milan, struggling to keep pace in the title race and dealing with internal tension, now finds itself desperately needing its talismanic winger to rediscover his sharpness.
In a campaign where every goal matters, the contrast between the USMNT ace’s explosive early-season form and his current struggles has become impossible to ignore. One revealing statistic now encapsulates the sudden drop in his effectiveness, a number that tells the story of a forward who has gone from clinical to frustratingly wasteful.
The Rossoneri are navigating a turbulent phase in the season. A frustrating draw against Como followed by a defeat to Parma opened a 10-point gap to Inter, while controversial refereeing decisions have only heightened the pressure around the club. Amid the chaos, Massimiliano Allegri faces another pressing concern: Christian Pulisic’s alarming dip in form.
The American has been a cornerstone of Milan’s attack since his arrival in 2023, delivering goals, assists, and leadership. However, 2026 has been a different story. His last goal came on December 28 against Verona, and since then, he has endured a drought that has stretched across ten matches without a goal or assist.
The stat that explains everything
The clearest illustration of Pulisic’s decline lies in one brutal statistic that contrasts his clinical start to the season with his current struggles: Until December, Pulisic scored eight goals from just 16 shots. However, since January 2026, he has taken 19 shots without scoring a single goal and has registered zero assists.
This stark reversal has become a symbol of Milan’s broader attacking frustrations. Despite continuing to get into dangerous positions, Pulisic’s finishing touch has deserted him, with missed opportunities piling up against Genoa, Fiorentina, Lecce, and most recently Parma.
Even in his limited minutes, 13 against Pisa, eight against Como, and 21 in Rome, he has failed to make a decisive impact, while his 62-minute appearance against Parma ended with two wasted clear-cut chances.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan reacts on the sidelines
Drought unfamiliar to Pulisic and why Milan needs him back
Pulisic’s goal drought is unprecedented in his Milan career. Since joining, he has been synonymous with decisive contributions, combining technical quality, pace, and intelligence to unlock defenses. Yet two months without a goal for a player of his caliber is deeply concerning.
His physical struggles have played a role. The American has battled ankle issues, a hamstring injury, and iliopsoas bursitis, all of which have interrupted his rhythm and consistency. Injuries not only kept him out of key matches but also prevented him from maintaining continuity in training and match sharpness.
Despite these setbacks, Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Allegri continues to believe in him, hoping he can rediscover the form that made him one of Milan’s most reliable performers in 2025. The final months of the season will be crucial for both Milan and Christian Pulisic. For the club, it is about stabilizing results and salvaging a title challenge. For Pulisic, it is about restoring confidence, fitness, and precision, especially ahead of a home World Cup.