Christian Pulisic Shatters Personal Record in Spectacular Comeback Performance
Christian Pulisic netted a double from the substitutes' bench to secure AC Milan's dramatic 3–2 turnaround win against Torino on Monday night, establishing a new career milestone in the process.
The United States national team skipper has now found the net 13 times in league competition for Milan during 2025, surpassing his previous best tally for goals scored in a single calendar year throughout his professional career. With December still having three weeks remaining, Pulisic has the opportunity to extend this record and cap off a remarkable 12-month period with the Rossoneri.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the 27-year-old accomplished this feat while managing several injury setbacks. During this campaign alone, Pulisic has been sidelined for five fixtures due to hamstring and muscle problems; he was even fighting illness in the hours before Milan's clash with Torino.
However, the attacker recovered sufficiently to enter the match as a substitute at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, making only his fourth outing since the October international window. The ex-Chelsea player's immediate influence was extraordinary.
Pulisic scored within a minute of entering the contest with his team trailing 2–1. The American controlled a speculative delivery from Alexis Saelemaekers before converting with his left foot from short distance to equalize for Milan in the 67th minute.
Merely 10 minutes afterward, Samuele Ricci located Pulisic unmarked within the penalty box, where the substitute finished his second goal of the evening to seal Milan's recovery. This victory propelled Massimiliano Allegri's squad to the summit of the Serie A table.
Pulisic Reflects on 'Strange' Season With Milan
Despite his fitness challenges, Pulisic currently tops the scoring charts in Italy's premier division. His seven strikes match Inter forward Lautaro Martínez's total.
"Two days ago I was bedridden with illness, but I felt significantly improved today and I'm delighted I made it here and could contribute to the team," Pulisic shared with Sky Sport Italia following the match.
"Yesterday I wasn't certain if I could participate, but this morning I felt considerably better. I'm more pleased with the victory than my goals, to be honest.
"It's been quite an unusual campaign. I do wish to regain full match sharpness. We must approach it game by game and then assess our position at season's end."
Pulisic will certainly hope to earn his way back into Milan's starting lineup not only to assist his club in their pursuit of the Italian title, but also to reach peak condition before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The USMNT received a promising group assignment in Group D and seeks to impress on American territory under Mauricio Pochettino next summer.