Christian Pulisic has outlined his plans for a “long career” at the highest level before retiring, citing Real Madrid legend and current AC Milan teammate Luka Modrić as an example he can draw inspiration from over the next 10 years.
27-year-old Pulisic has crossed paths with some of the greatest European players of this generation. The U.S. men’s national team star has been teammates of Marco Reus, Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Mats Hummels—all of whom have impacted his career in some way.
But it’s his newest teammate in Milan, the Ballon d’Or winner of 2018, who is the model of professionalism and is still going strong the age of 40. Modrić joined Milan on a free transfer this summer, uniting with Pulisic, and the Croatian is showing no signs of slowing down or losing his touch in the center of midfield—arguably the most physically demanding position of all.
Modrić’s incredible longevity appears to be inspiring Pulisic to enjoy a lengthy career of his own—though the USMNT’s marquee player stopped short of putting an age on when he might decide to hang up his boots.
“I’m thinking like, 10 years down the line, I want to have a long career,” Pulisic said to Paramount+. “I want to go as long [as I can]. I look at Luka in my locker room and this guy’s 40 and he’s putting in 10 out of 10 performances.
“I’m just wondering how he does it. I hope I can keep up.”
