The USMNT forward has watched all three Serie A matches from the bench, creating plenty of questions about his role after previously establishing himself as one of the club’s most important attacking players. Christian Pulisic has endured a remarkably frustrating beginning to the 2026-27 season, with Ruben Amorim leaving the Milan star waiting for his first competitive appearance. The USMNT forward has watched all three Serie A matches from the bench, creating plenty of questions about his role after previously establishing himself as one of the club’s most important attacking players. Pulisic has been back in training for several weeks after recovering from his World Cup injury, yet his return has been slower than expected. Now, with Milan preparing to face Lazio, Amorim has finally provided clarity on what comes next for the American. The American forward’s problems began during the 2026 World Cup, where he managed only 224 minutes as injuries limited his involvement with the United States. Reports indicated that he suffered a bone bruise and microfracture around the tibia and fibula in his right leg, while previous injury problems also continued to cause discomfort. After returning to Rossoneri training in August, Pulisic appeared close to making his comeback. However, a knock during his first training session back forced another interruption, adding to the caution surrounding his return. Christian Pulisic in Milan training That has left the 27-year-old without a single competitive minute for the San Siro outfit this season. He was included in the squad for all three Serie A matches but remained an unused substitute each time, including the 1-1 draw against Juventus. Amorim sends Pulisic harsh warning The biggest issue for Pulisic is that his reputation alone will not guarantee him a starting place under Amorim. The Milan coach has made it clear that he will reward players who are performing well, even if that means keeping an established star on the bench. “Christian Pulisic is not happy because he didn’t play so far,” he said. “But I like him a lot as a player, remember he was injured this summer.” Amorim then made his philosophy unmistakable. “I will never pick my starting lineup based on big names. These are my principles and won’t change.” That is the reality Pulisic now faces at Milan. The coach is refusing to disrupt a winning formula simply to accommodate a high-profile player, particularly while 19-year-old Alphadjo Cisse has taken his opportunity and impressed. 🗣️🇵🇹 | Ruben Amorim was asked how Pulisic is and if he likes him:“You're going to see Pulisic tomorrow. He's going to play some minutes now. I like Pulisic. Pulisic is upset at the moment, because he has 0 minutes, and I love that. He's ready to play. Let's not forget that he… pic.twitter.com/Nnqk3nsbaJ— Milan Matters (@MilanMatters) September 11, 2026 Cisse has scored twice in Milan’s opening three league games, giving Amorim a compelling reason to continue trusting the teenager. Pulisic’s absence has therefore coincided with the emergence of a young player who has quickly established himself in the attacking midfield role. Amorim acknowledged that situation rather directly. “I won’t remove anyone who’s doing well just to name a player. This is my way of managing the group, and I’ll die with these principles.” For Pulisic, that means his route back into the starting lineup must be earned through performances rather than reputation. The positive side is that Amorim has repeatedly stressed that he considers Pulisic an important player for the team. Pulisic finally has something to look forward to The good news for Pulisic is that his wait is finally coming to an end. Amorim confirmed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Lazio that the American will receive minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, although the coach has deliberately kept the starting lineup under wraps. “You’ll see him tomorrow [Saturday]. I don’t know if he’ll start or play during the game. I think he’ll play
The American winger entered the new season hoping to put a difficult World Cup and injury spell behind him, but his wait for competitive minutes and a goal has continued far longer than anyone expected. Christian Pulisic’s return to action has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding Milan ahead of its trip to Rome. The American winger entered the new season hoping to put a difficult World Cup and injury spell behind him, but his wait for competitive minutes and a goal has continued far longer than anyone expected. Pulisic has been included in Ruben Amorim’s matchday squads for Milan’s first three Serie A games, yet he has remained an unused substitute in each. The 27-year-old has been dealing with the effects of injuries suffered during the 2026 World Cup, where he managed only 224 minutes across four appearances. The 27-year-old suffered a bone bruise and microfracture around his right tibia and fibula during the World Cup, while previous injury problems also caused discomfort throughout the tournament. Those issues followed him back to Milan and have prevented him from completing a full preseason under Amorim. The situation became particularly frustrating after the Rossoneri’s 1-1 draw with Juventus. Pulisic was once again named among the substitutes but never entered the game, while 19-year-old Alphadjo Cisse continued to occupy his attacking role. Amorim has repeatedly indicated that the decision is connected to Pulisic’s physical condition rather than a lack of belief in his ability. After the Juventus match, the Milan coach explained that he was carefully managing several players as they worked their way back to full fitness. “Pulisic is back from injury. I’m managing him. For now, Alpha is taking his place,” Amorim said. Will Pulisic play against Lazio? The latest indications from Milan News suggest Pulisic will again start on the bench against Lazio on Saturday, with Cisse expected to retain his place in the starting XI. That would leave Pulisic waiting for his first Serie A appearance of the season, although there is optimism that he could finally receive some playing time at the Stadio Olimpico. By the time Milan faces Lazio, almost a month will have passed since Pulisic returned to group training. The expectation is that the American is still not fit enough to start, but he could be introduced during the match if his condition allows. Cisse has given Amorim a reliable alternative in the meantime, scoring against both Torino and Juventus to strengthen his case. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match. The numbers behind Pulisic’s drought Pulisic’s absence has also made his scoring drought increasingly difficult to ignore. According to Corriere dello Sport, 255 days have passed since Pulisic last scored, while 109 days have passed since his last appearance for Milan. His last goal in the Red and Blacks’ kit came before the turn of the year, when he was one of the club’s most influential attacking players. Those numbers represent a dramatic change from the player Milan supporters saw earlier in his Rossoneri career. Pulisic had scored important goals, decided a derby and even helped Milan fight back against Torino despite reportedly playing while carrying a fever. Now, under a new coach and in a new system, the American is still waiting for his opportunity to rediscover that form.
The American winger remains highly valued at boardroom level, but his current situation on the pitch has created an unexpected layer of uncertainty. Christian Pulisic’s future at Milan is becoming one of the more intriguing questions surrounding the club, with owner Gerry Cardinale determined to keep the USMNT star while Ruben Amorim’s plans could have a major influence on what happens next. The American winger remains highly valued at boardroom level, but his current situation on the pitch has created an unexpected layer of uncertainty. Milan is already looking ahead to Pulisic’s contract situation, with negotiations expected to become a major topic in the coming months. According to Milan News, Cardinale isn’t willing to risk losing one of the club’s most important players and is pushing for an agreement that would keep him at the San Siro beyond his current deal. The Rossoneri have the option to unilaterally extend Pulisic’s contract until 2028, but that is not the preferred solution. The club would rather reach a mutually agreed renewal that convinces the forward to continue committing himself to the Rossoneri project. That stance underlines how highly Pulisic is regarded by the ownership, despite his difficult start to the new campaign. Milan still considers him a cornerstone of its future, but his relationship with the new coaching setup could prove increasingly important. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on Pulisic’s difficult return continues Pulisic has endured a frustrating few months since the 2026 World Cup, where he managed only 224 minutes after leg problems restricted his involvement. Reports indicated that the winger suffered a bone bruise and microfracture around the tibia-fibula junction in his right leg, while previous injury issues also caused discomfort during the tournament. Those problems have carried into the beginning of the 2026-27 season. Despite returning to group training on August 21 and being included in Milan’s matchday squads, Pulisic has played zero minutes in the opening three Serie A matches, including the 1-1 draw against Juventus. The situation has been particularly noticeable because 19-year-old Alphadjo Cisse has taken up the role Pulisic would normally occupy, while Yunus Musah has started every league game so far. Pulisic has instead watched from the substitutes’ bench as he continues his gradual return to full fitness. Christian Pulisic’s minutes played for Milan Why Amorim holds the key to Pulisic’s future This is where Amorim’s role becomes crucial. According to SportMediaset, the 27-year-old winger has become something of a mystery under the Portuguese coach, having remained an unused substitute despite training with the team for several weeks. Amorim has explained that his decision is linked to carefully managing Pulisic’s return rather than simply overlooking him. After the Juventus draw, the Milan coach said: “Pulisic is back from injury. I’m managing him. For now, Alpha is taking his place.” The coach also stressed that several players are being handled carefully as Milan balances fitness and results. “We’re still managing the minutes of some players and trying to win the match,” the Portuguese boss explained, emphasizing the physical considerations involved in his selection decisions. That approach could become central to Pulisic’s future. Cardinale may want the American to remain at Milan until 2028, but Amorim has to decide how important Pulisic is to his tactical plans, particularly with Cisse making such an impressive start.
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