Olivier Giroud is backing his old Chelsea and AC Milan mate Christian Pulisic to light up the World Cup – and bring a spark of gold to the United States' campaign. The French forward, who won it all at the highest level, has witnessed firsthand the pressures that come with being 'Captain America', and he's convinced Pulisic is ready for the biggest stage of them all.
Giroud knows a thing or two about handling the heat – he played alongside Pulisic in some fiery matches for Chelsea and AC Milan, where the young American was already shouldering the weight of expectation. "He was just a nipper when he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Borussia Dortmund in 2019," Giroud recalled, "but even then, he was a crucial player for his national team – and they put the pressure on him big-time."
That pressure only intensified at AC Milan, where Pulisic earned his nickname 'Captain America' due to his status as the club's most influential player. And despite a patchy season in Serie A that saw the Rossoneri fail to qualify for the Champions League, Giroud insists Pulisic's form doesn't detract from his World Cup credentials. "He's had his share of ups and downs," Giroud said, "but those tough moments have made him stronger – mentally as well as physically."
The decision by Pulisic to skip the Gold Cup last summer has only added fuel to the anticipation surrounding his World Cup campaign. But Giroud sees it as a clever move, allowing Pulisic to recharge and arrive at this summer's tournament in peak condition. At 27, Pulisic is now hitting his prime – a potent mix of youthful energy and battle-hardened experience that has Giroud convinced he'll be the USA's ace in the hole.
Of course, there are concerns about Pulisic's current fitness levels after withdrawing from the Paraguay match with a calf problem. But Giroud remains hopeful it's not too serious – and that it won't hold back his star pupil as they look to defy expectations at the World Cup.