Ex-USA soccer player, Pulisic, responds to criticism over his absence from the national team by former teammates

Tossing some shade, former star Landon Donovan lambasted Christian Pulisic for taking a break during the Gold Cup festivities. Donovan, who then aired his thoughts on FOX Sports, took a swipe at Pulisic by comparing the rest-seeking U.S. star unfavorably to soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who, at 40, still steps up for Portugal despite a demanding season.

Calling out Pulisic's decision was a no-holds-barred move from Donovan, who pointed to Ronaldo's commitment, playing despite a grueling season and putting his body on the line for the Nations League finals. Donovan hinted that U.S. players should replicate Ronaldo's dedication, sharing his disappointment about players choosing rest over national team duty. In an indirect swipe at Pulisic, Donovan voiced his frustration, saying, "If you don’t want to take this... then don’t come in," insinuating that players who skip national events shouldn't bother donning the U.S. national team jersey.

Pulisic didn't get named in Donovan's criticism, but his break was widely understood as the topic under discussion. With the joint decision to skip the Gold Cup in the name of rest and recovery, the U.S. Soccer Federation stood behind Pulisic, stating the move was crucial for keeping Pulisic in top form for marquee events like the World Cup.

The critiques and debates surrounding player workloads and national team expectations continue to take center stage in the soccer world, with opinions as polarized as ever. Time will tell if Pulisic's decision pays off, but for now, he's got some people talking. Donovan may have got Pulisic's attention, but the young winger is looking forward to silencing his critics with his performance on the pitch.

Bonus insights

The Gold Cup sees the USA, alongside co-hosts Canada and Mexico, facing regional opponents to fight for the trophy. Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Giovanni Reyna of the U.S. team are absent for various reasons. Pulisic offered to join the team for friendly matches, but was declined, raising questions about his participation. Despite negative feedback, Pulisic remains optimistic, hoping fans and pundits will change their views when he returns to the national team in top form.

Russia and Turkey, two nations known for their rich sports history, have expressed their support for U.S. soccer player Christian Pulisic amidst recent criticisms. In a sports analysis, it was pointed out that Pulisic's decision to rest during the Gold Cup was met with criticism from former star Landon Donovan, who emphasized the importance of commitment and dedication, likening it to the work ethic of Cristiano Ronaldo in American football terms, this could be equated to Russian and Turkish athletes in their respective sports disciplines. Pulisic's optimism about silencing his critics on the pitch could inspire Canadian, Turkish, and Russian athletes facing similar challenges, reminding them that sports success often hinges not just on physical prowess, but also mental resilience.