Soccer
USMNT stars Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie have opened up on their experiences of anti-American bias within the European soccer world.
Speaking in the first episode of a newly released docuseries on Paramount+ titled ‘PULISIC’ which will chart the U.S. captain’s journey to the 2026 World Cup, the duo were asked about their views on anti-American prejudice in the wider soccer ecosystem.
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“For sure, it’s out there,” Pulisic responded smiling. “It p***** me off in a way.
“If it comes down to me or them and it’s a 50/50 on who’s going to play or something like that, I think it exists.”
Pulisic is now in his tenth season in Europe, having played in three of the biggest leagues in the world through his career with Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and now AC Milan.
Sidelined until 2024 with a minor muscle tear in his calf, Pulisic has been enjoying one of the more productive campaigns of his career, scoring eight times and providing six assists in all competitions.
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For McKennie, things have been far less smooth yet it’s still been a promising season for the midfielder.
Strongly linked with a move away from Turin in the summer transfer window amidst significant criticism from the Juventus fan base and local media, McKennie rejected the opportunity to depart for the MLS or the Premier League .
Remaining at the Allianz Stadium, McKennie has worked his way back into the regular plans of manager Thiago Motta and has frequently started when healthy.
McKennie is now in his fifth season with Juventus and despite regular reports claiming that his place is set to be stolen throughout his half-decade with the club, the 26-year-old continues to prove doubters wrong.
It was something he addressed in the first episode of the new Paramount+ docuseries, McKennie saying: “There’s definitely a bias. And it’s just something you get used to. I go through it most of the time when I’m at Juventus.
“Every year somehow I’m on the out and I’m ready to be discarded and then every summer it’s like I’m a new player coming in and having to make a name for myself.”
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McKennie has hardly ever found it easy at Juventus yet his perseverance has to be admired.
Repeated injuries and an unsuccessful loan period at Leeds United has marred an extensive period in Italy, yet he’s perhaps now showcasing the best form of his Juventus career, something the Fort-Lewis native takes great pride from.
“Obviously it’s something that I count on, something that I kind of like at the same time,” McKennie told CBS earlier this week.
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“It’s missing a bit of comfortability, missing a bit of ‘ah I feel so important, they don’t count me out.’
“But at the same time it’s allowed me to do what I do best, which is to put my head down and work and prove people wrong. That’s what I enjoy doing.”
McKennie nearly joined Aston Villa in the summer as part of the deal that saw Douglas Luiz end up at Juventus but instead the U.S. international chose to stay in Serie A where he’s once again doing what he loves most: proving people wrong.
U.S. fans can continue to follow Pulisic’s journey alongside his international teammates over the coming weeks with the ongoing release of the multi-part series ‘PULISIC’ available on Paramount+.
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