In a yr the place Milan’s title goals collapsed below the burden of accidents, instability, and unfulfilled potential, one title persistently rose above the gloom: Christian Pulisic. Because the 2024-25 season winds down, the American winger—as soon as a dangerous summer season signing—has turn out to be the staff’s undisputed standout performer.
Amid a marketing campaign marked by managerial modifications, tactical confusion, and falling quick in each Serie A and Europe, Pulisic emerged as a logo of resilience and brilliance. And now, because the curtain falls on the season, he’s revealed one thing followers by no means noticed coming: the actual, and quite quirky, motive he selected the No. 11 jersey at San Siro. However let’s not get forward of ourselves.
Milan entered the marketing campaign anticipating to construct on their second-place end the yr earlier than. As an alternative, they stumbled by inconsistency, first below Paulo Fonseca after which below the tactically demanding Sergio Conceicao, who changed his Portuguese compatriot mid-season. Accidents are piling up, the system retains altering, and key gamers are underperforming. But by all of it, Pulisic has remained a beacon of high quality.
From day one, he regarded sharp, direct, and fearless. His 15 targets and 11 assists in all competitions stand as proof of his contribution, however the numbers inform solely a part of the story. Whether or not deployed on both wing or requested to drift as a false 9, the American has tailored and delivered. Whereas others pale, he has stored driving ahead, stored pushing, stored believing.
From decisive targets within the Derby della Madonnina to match-winning assists towards Juventus and Actual Madrid, Pulisic persistently pulled the Rossoneri out of the mud, providing followers hope amid the turmoil.
Quantity with an sudden twist
Now, with the season nearing its finish, Pulisic lastly opened up about one thing followers have lengthy speculated over: why he selected the enduring No. 11 shirt—a jersey worn by Milan legends like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hernan Crespo, Alberto Gilardino, and even Carlo Ancelotti.
One would possibly count on the explanation to be rooted in historical past, homage, or superstardom. As an alternative, it was one thing much more private—and shocking. “I used to be 22 in Dortmund and I used to be 10 with the nationwide staff,” he defined in an interview in collaboration with Bitpanda, shared on Milan’s official social channels. “It was half of twenty-two, near 10, and it was accessible.”
That’s proper. The quantity 11 was merely a numerical bridge between two eras of his profession—one in Germany and one with the USA. No grand symbolism. Only a little bit of math and availability.
Nonetheless, carrying it at San Siro is not any small factor. It’s a shirt loaded with legacy, and Pulisic has lived as much as it. He’s taken that weight and made it his personal, carving out his place within the membership’s fashionable identification.
From strain to satisfaction
Apparently, the 26-year-old is not any stranger to strain. At Chelsea, he first wore No. 22, then took the fabled No. 10 shirt as soon as donned by Eden Hazard. For the U.S. Males’s Nationwide Staff, he’s lengthy worn No. 10, shouldering the expectations of a nation.
At Milan, nonetheless, No. 10 is Rafael Leao’s area, secured after the Portuguese star signed a bumper new deal. That left Pulisic with a alternative—and he took No. 11 with out fuss. In hindsight, the selection now feels fated. In a turbulent season, he gave the quantity new that means.
