Pulisic snaps year-long goal drought with Milan, says he wants to stay longer

Sometimes a goal matters more for what it ends than for what it starts. That is exactly what happened to Christian Pulisic, who had spent months chasing a flash of form that never seemed to arrive. The American finally broke his 2026 scoring drought in a 3-0 win over Lecce on September 20, just before the FIFA international break. And no, it wasn't just any goal for him.

To understand the weight of the moment, you have to look back. The 10 goals Pulisic scored for Milan last season all came before January. Since then, nothing. A full calendar year without celebrating in the rossonero jersey, something unusual for a player used to showing up in big moments.

Yeah, it was a big relief for me, for sure, to get a goal. It's been a while with Milan, so it felt really good.Christian Pulisic

The United States national team captain shared that during a fan meet and greet at the club store at San Siro on Thursday. Behind that line lies a story of patience: Pulisic reached this stretch of the season still working his way back from a serious injury, the fractured tibia and fibula with bone bruising he suffered when the US was eliminated by Belgium at the July World Cup. That same injury kept him out of his national team's four most recent friendlies.

From the bench back to the starting lineup

The road back wasn't immediate. Pulisic, 28, started on the bench for Milan's first three Serie A matches, unusual for someone of his standing on the team. He reappeared as a substitute against Lazio in a 2-2 draw, where he also provided a key assist that sparked the rossoneri comeback. That match gave him the push he needed, a starting role soon followed, and with it, the goal against Lecce.

Pulisic himself admitted the start of the season was a strange one for him, though he was careful not to overstate it.

The start of the season was a little strange for me, obviously I always want to play. It's not that I'm really mad... but I always want to play. But I was also coming back from this injury. Now I feel good. Hopefully I can play a bit more too.Christian Pulisic

On top of the physical adjustment came another one, tactical: Milan has a new coach this year, Ruben Amorim, who replaced Massimiliano Allegri after his departure in the summer. Pulisic spoke positively about the process of getting to know each other.

A future that sounds like more of the same

Pulisic's contract runs through the end of this season, though the club holds an option to extend it by another year. Italian media reports suggest Milan wants to tie him down through 2031, though the player himself was cautious and, laughing it off, only admitted there are ongoing talks.

What he did make clear, without hesitation, was what he wants.

I can just say I'm very happy at Milan right now and also for the near future. I'm not thinking about the contract renewal, but I'm very happy here, I want to stay at Milan.Christian Pulisic