<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/christian-pulisic/">Christian Pulisic</a> has yet to find the back of the net in 2026, a slump that has directly hampered AC Milan’s title aspirations. With the USMNT star now mired in the longest goal drought of his career, he has become the target of harsh criticism from Rossoneri legend <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/alessandro-costacurta/">Alessandro Costacurta</a>.



During Sunday’s clash with Juventus, Pulisic headlined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ac-milan/">Milan</a>’s frontline alongside Rafael Leao, but the star duo once again failed to deliver. The USMNT captain was subbed off for Niclas Fullkrug in the 62nd minute after failing to register a single shot and completing just one dribble.



Following the match, Costacurta, who spent two decades at Milan, slammed the forward’s performance on Sky Sports, calling it Pulisic’s worst match to date: “The two up front help each other and understand each other very little. Pulisic was the worst on the pitch today.”



The lack of a true central striker has forced both Pulisic and Leao to drift across the pitch, often failing to settle into dangerous positions. With only 22 touches on the ball, Pulisic looked like a shadow of the player who claimed Serie A Player of the Month honors back in September.



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Costacurta also took aim at Leão, noting that the Portuguese winger continues to underwhelm him: “He continues to fail to convince me. I don’t know what else to add. Every now and then I see him try, but very few things come off—very few—and above all, we wonder why Milan has to drop so deep, why they don’t defend with all 11. When the opponents have the ball, not everyone runs, and Leao is the one who does it the least.”


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<h2>Pulisic and a concerning lack of form in 2026</h2>



After a dominant first half of the season, injuries have derailed Pulisic’s momentum and he has been unable to regain his clinical edge. The most glaring impact is reflected in a scoring drought that has now spanned the entirety of the 2026 calendar year.



In 16 matches, including last night’s stalemate with Juventus, Pulisic has failed to find the net, equaling a career-worst dry spell dating back to his time at Chelsea. It has been 958 minutes since his last goal for the Rossoneri, which came on December 28, 2025, when he was still challenging Lautaro Martínez for the Serie A Golden Boot.



Speaking with DAZN after the game, head coach Massimiliano Allegri addressed the psychological toll the slump is taking on his winger: “He’s a very sensitive player, and not scoring affects him more. He struggles more in physical duels. Without a true striker, it’s harder for him I need to give balance to the team.“



Since the turn of the year, Pulisic’s only goal contribution was a single assist provided during a 3-2 win over Torino on March 21. As Milan slide out of the title race and fights to cling to a Champions League spot, fans are beginning to worry if this dip in form will carry over to the 2026 World Cup.

Christian Pulisic faces criticism from AC Milan icon Costacurta after equaling career-worst goal drought

Christian Pulisic faces criticism from AC Milan icon Costacurta after equaling career-worst goal drought - World Soccer Talk

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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/christian-pulisic/">Christian Pulisic</a> is once again at the center of Italian soccer’s most unforgiving conversation. With Fabio Capello already weighing in, another Milan legend has now stepped forward, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the American’s difficult start to 2026. As Milan navigates a decisive phase of the season, pressure is mounting, not just on the team but on the individual expected to carry it. And when voices like Capello and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/Alessandro-Costacurta">Alessandro Costacurta</a> speak, the message tends to echo far beyond a single weekend.



This is not unfamiliar territory for Pulisic. From Dortmund to Chelsea and now <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ac-milan/">Milan</a>, expectation has followed him relentlessly. What has changed is the tone. What was once admiration is now conditional, and patience is thinning as the club’s title ambitions face subtle but real threats.



Every January seems to reopen the same chapter. Christian Pulisic hits a stretch where the conversation shifts—from how good he can be to why he isn’t showing it. The Rossoneri, meanwhile, have drifted into a pattern that rarely wins championships:&nbsp;too many draws, not enough decisive moments, and missed opportunities against teams they should be beating.



The numbers tell the story.&nbsp;Pulisic has not scored since December 28 and has not registered an assist since November 23. Milan has lost just once all season, yet&nbsp;eight draws have eroded its margin, leaving it&nbsp;five points behind Inter with 16 matches to play. In a title race that tight, stars must tip games. That burden falls squarely on Pulisic, and that is where the debate intensifies.



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<h2>What did Costacurta say?</h2>



Only midway through the discussion does the latest criticism emerge, and it comes from a figure whose words carry historical weight. Speaking live on Sky Italia’s&nbsp;Calciomercato L’Originale, Alessandro Costacurta turned his attention to Milan’s attacking unit of Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Christopher Nkunku after a quiet winter transfer and a depleted squad.



“Milan must wait for those three or four players to improve their performance, especially in attack,”&nbsp;Costacurta said.&nbsp;“I’m talking about Rafa Leao, but also Christian Pulisic, who started well but is not feeling well now.”



The verdict was blunt but calculated. The five-time Champions League winner did not question Pulisic’s talent. Instead, he placed&nbsp;responsibility squarely on the player to raise his level, particularly in moments when the team needs individual quality to break deadlocks. “Nkunku also needs to give a little more,”&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;“I think Milan are hoping the players up front improve their individual performances.” This was not outrage, but expectation.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/01/14162056/pulisic-fiorentina-1920x1080.webp" alt="pulisic fiorentina" class="wp-image-615881"></figure></div><figcaption>Christian Pulisic of AC Milan in action against David de Gea goalkeeper of ACF Fiorentina</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Capello set the tone earlier</h2>



Costacurta’s comments did not arrive in a vacuum. Days earlier, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/fabio-capello/">Fabio Capello</a> had already opened the door to criticism following Milan’s frustrating draw against Fiorentina. Writing for&nbsp;La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello focused on missed chances and a lack of ruthlessness—particularly from the American star. “Pulisic did everything thanks to Füllkrug,”&nbsp;Capello wrote.&nbsp;“The attacking duo created two or three chances out of nothing, but the American uncharacteristically missed them all.”



Then came the line that defined the discussion: “Mistakes uncharacteristic of him, like when he tried to beat De Gea instead of shooting… in that space, only Ronaldo Nazário could have beaten the goalkeeper and scored.” It was not mockery. It was a reminder of limits, and of how thin the margin is between brilliance and waste at the highest level.

Christian Pulisic under fire again as another Milan great echoes Fabio Capello’s harsh verdict: Alessandro Costacurta sends stark message to USMNT ace after disastrous 2026

Christian Pulisic under fire again as another Milan great echoes Fabio Capello’s harsh verdict: Alessandro Costacurta sends stark message to USMNT ace after disastrous 2026 - World Soccer Talk

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Christian Pulisic faces criticism from AC Milan icon Costacurta after equaling career-worst goal drought

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Christian Pulisic under fire again as another Milan great echoes Fabio Capello’s harsh verdict: Alessandro Costacurta sends stark message to USMNT ace after disastrous 2026