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Soccer players are famously known for their passion for tattoos, with many sporting elaborate body art from head to toe.
Christian Pulisic is no different.
The USMNT and AC Milan star—widely considered the greatest American soccer player in history—carries a collection of deeply personal tattoos, all on his left arm, featuring powerful animal imagery such as tigers and eagles alongside meaningful personal quotes.
Here, Sports Illustrated takes a detailed look at Pulisic's tattoos, examining each one and the story it tells.
Christian Pulisic's Tiger Tattoo
Pulisic's tiger tattoo stands as his most prominent piece of body art—and arguably his most iconic. The winger has even incorporated it into his goal celebrations.
Situated on his left forearm, Pulisic frequently raises his arm to line up the tiger's eyes with his own, producing a striking visual that has since been immortalized in the EA Sports FC video game franchise.
He got the tattoo during his teenage years while playing for Borussia Dortmund, explaining that the motivation was straightforward: the tiger is his favorite animal.
Roman Numerals
Just below his tiger tattoo on his wrist, Pulisic has a set of Roman numerals marking a special date: "XII XIII MMXIII."
The numerals represent Dec. 13, 2013—the day Pulisic scored against Brazil in an international friendly for the USMNT U-17 side. He was only 15 years old at the time, making the milestone all the more significant in his budding career.
Rock, Flag & Eagle
Pulisic proudly showcases his American heritage through another bold tattoo—a large bald eagle spread across his upper arm and shoulder, set against an American flag backdrop. The eagle, a national symbol of the United States, reflects his deep sense of patriotism.
In the same area, Pulisic also sports a tattoo of a crown with the word "Philly" inscribed beneath it in ornate lettering. Though he was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, he is a well-known Philadelphia 76ers fan, making the tribute a clear nod to his ties with the city.
Napoleon Hill Quote
Beneath Pulisic's eagle tattoo is a quote from American author Napoleon Hill: "Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen, pulsating desire which transcends everything."
Hill, best known for his book Think and Grow Rich, wrote extensively about the power of ambition and mindset.
The Queen
Also on his left forearm, Pulisic has a tattoo depicting a queen chess piece.
The inspiration behind this tattoo stems from his passion for chess, a game he regularly played with teammate N'Golo Kanté during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
A closer inspection of the tattoo reveals the word "Mate," a detail rich with meaning. It pays tribute to both his late grandfather's name and his own middle name, while also serving as a clever reference to the chess term "checkmate."
Mike Wazowski Tattoo
Rounding out his forearm sleeve, Pulisic has a tattoo of Mike Wazowski, the beloved Disney-Pixar character from Monsters, Inc., perched atop a Champions League ball.
The tattoo reflects both his affection for the character and the film, while also commemorating his UEFA Champions League victory with Chelsea during the 2020–21 season.
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Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has contributed to The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to interview some of the biggest names in global sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and many more.