Christian Pulisic’s DAD takes aim at Landon Donovan over criticism of AC Milan star pulling out of national team duty – and tells retired star to ‘grow a pair’ in fiery social media post

By JAMES COHEN

Christian Pulisic’s dad has leapt to the defence of his AC Milan star son and fired back at Landon Donovan as a row over US national team duty rumbles on. 

The former Chelsea winger came under fire from retired star Donovan after ruling himself out of Gold Cup action in 2025 after a long campaign in Italy with Milan. 

Donovan made comment about the decision, without explicitly naming Pulisic, but it was enough to draw the ire from the winger’s father, Mark. 

During FOX’s coverage of the UEFA Nations League final, Donovan said: ‘This is what it means to represent your country. 

‘And if you don’t want to take this, as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don’t come in.

‘This is what it means. He’s [Ronaldo] 40 years old, he played a long-a*s season, he’s tired, he was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process. 

Mark Pulisic (left) jumped to the defence of his son, Christian, on social media 

Donovan hit out at Pulisic after the winger recently pulled out of international duty

Mark Pulisic took to social media and told Donovan to ‘grow a pair’ over a criticism

‘And I can’t help but think about some of our [USMNT] guys on vacation right now, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s p***ing me off.’

In response, Mark Pulisic took to social media and told Donovan to ‘grow a pair’ as he brought up Donovan’s sabbatical from the national team during his own career.

Back in 2013, Donovan missed two World Cup qualifiers due to an extended off-season sabbatical – before later being left off of the squad by Jurgen Klinsmann.

Taking to social media this time, Pulisic Snr wrote: ‘This guy is talking about commitment… look in the mirror + grow a pair and call names out or are you afraid next time you want an interview you will get rejected again’. 

Accompanying his post on X was a screenshot of an interaction with ChatGPT, where he has asked: ‘Tell me about Landon Donovan’s sabbatical and why he took it’. 

The AI response claimed that former LA Galaxy forward ‘was feeling physically and mentally exhausted’ and ‘felt the need to step back and take time for himself’. 

Pulisic’s father has never been one to shy away from the limelight and, during the winger’s time at Chelsea in 2022, spoke out over his lack of playing time. 

Mark Pulisic wrote: ‘The sad thing is he loves the club, teammates, and London… puts his heart and soul into being a pro. Onwards and upwards my boy… big six months ahead..’ 

Pulisic, 26, has made 78 appearances for the national team side and has scored 32 goals

Donovan also took a sabbatical from the national team during his playing career

The winger would go on to leave Chelsea that summer and join AC Milan, where he has since recorded 32 goals and 23 assists from 100 appearances.

In the first of two warm-up matches before this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, the USMNT suffered a 2-1 defeat by Turkey on Saturday. 

It was a performance reflective of the squad that head coach Mauricio Pochettino selected – with multiple USMNT starters not available due to recovering from injuries or being tied to clubs competing in the Club World Cup.

While the USMNT hasn’t sent its best to the Gold Cup in over a decade, the performance in Connecticut showed that the depth in this team is shallow.

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Christian Pulisic’s DAD takes aim at Landon Donovan over criticism of AC Milan star pulling out of national team duty – and tells retired star to ‘grow a pair’ in fiery social media post

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