🏆 Christian Pulisic Crowned Best Soccer Player at 2025 ESPYS, Outshining Global Stars

In a year filled with breakout performances and iconic moments, Christian Pulisic emerged as the standout, earning the Best Soccer Player award at the 2025 ESPYS. The AC Milan forward edged out elite competition—including Barcelona’s rising sensation Lamine Yamal and women’s football icons Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas—to claim one of the sport’s most prestigious individual honors.

A Career-Defining Season for Pulisic

The 26-year-old winger delivered his finest season to date in Italy, racking up 17 goals and 10 assists across 50 appearances for AC Milan. Pulisic’s dynamic presence played a vital role in Milan’s dramatic 3–2 comeback victory over Inter Milan in the Italian Super Cup final—earning the Rossoneri their first Supercoppa Italiana title since 2016.

Despite Milan’s disappointing eighth-place finish in Serie A, Pulisic’s individual brilliance shone through. His performances were a consistent bright spot in an otherwise turbulent domestic campaign, reaffirming his status as a world-class talent.

Fending Off Fierce Competition

Pulisic’s ESPY triumph came at the expense of three footballing heavyweights from Barcelona. Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old prodigy and early favorite for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, dazzled with 18 goals and 21 assists while guiding Barça to a domestic treble in Hansi Flick’s debut season at the helm.

Also in contention were Aitana Bonmatí, the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner, and Alexia Putellas. The duo dominated women’s football once again, leading Barcelona Femeni to another Liga F crown, a record-breaking fifth Spanish Super Cup, and their 11th Copa de la Reina.

However, it was Pulisic who captured the public’s imagination. ESPY winners are chosen through fan voting, and the U.S. international’s strong support base—particularly in the United States—proved decisive in a tightly contested race.

Joining a Hall of Legends

By securing the ESPY award, Pulisic now finds his name alongside some of the sport’s most iconic figures. Past winners include global superstars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Ronaldinho, David Beckham, and Mia Hamm. The win is a major milestone in Pulisic’s career, solidifying his place among soccer’s elite and providing a major morale boost as he negotiates a contract extension with Milan while fending off interest from the Saudi Pro League.

What’s Next for Pulisic and USMNT?

Although Pulisic opted out of the 2025 Gold Cup to focus on rest and recovery after a taxing club season, his ESPY recognition comes as a powerful counterpoint to the criticism he faced for skipping the tournament. The U.S. ultimately finished runners-up to Mexico in the final, but with their captain in top form and public support intact, the outlook for the national team remains optimistic heading into upcoming international competitions.