Christian Pulisic delivered a goal and an assist as AC Milan defeated reigning champions Napoli 2-1, then declared the performance “sends a message” to Serie A rivals. The U.S. star praised Milan’s spirit after they battled with 10 men to secure a statement victory.
Christian Pulisic has once again proven his value to AC Milan, guiding the Rossoneri to a crucial 2-1 victory over defending champions Napoli on Sunday. The U.S. international scored one and set up another in a match that showcased not only Milan’s attacking threat but also their resilience after being reduced to ten men.
Pulisic: “It sends a message”
Pulisic hailed the victory as a defining moment in Milan’s season, emphasizing the team’s spirit and defensive grit. After Pervis Estupiñán’s red card in the 57th minute, Milan were forced to dig deep to protect their lead.
“We feel incredible, honestly,” Pulisic told CBS Sports Golazo America. “Just the spirit of the team, the way we fought. After the red card, we gave everything. It’s a special feeling for us. It sends a message for sure — that we’re a good team, a strong team. We can score goals, but we can also defend like this. We have a great spirit.”
The result not only kept Milan top of the Serie A table but also strengthened their credentials as serious title challengers.
Praise from a USMNT legend
Former U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola was quick to praise Pulisic, who now leads the Serie A scoring charts. However, he noted that skepticism still surrounds the American despite his consistent output.
“People don’t want to believe in him sometimes,” Meola said. “It’s like they’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he just continues to get better. He’s proven he’s not just a good American footballer — he’s a good footballer, period.”
Meola even placed Pulisic in the same bracket as U.S. great Clint Dempsey, suggesting the 27-year-old could go down as the best American to play in Europe.
“At some point, we’re going to talk about Christian and his career and say he’s the top American player in Europe,” Meola added. “I think he’s right there with Clint.”
Momentum building for Milan and Pulisic
Pulisic’s blistering form comes at the perfect time for both AC Milan and the USMNT. Milan now prepare for a blockbuster clash with Juventus on October 5, while the American winger will soon head back to the U.S. for international friendlies against Australia and Ecuador.
With Milan sitting top of the table and Pulisic in the best form of his career, the message is clear: the Rossoneri are back in the title race — and their American talisman is leading the charge.
