MN: ‘LeBron James of calcio’ – how the Pulisic meme is becoming close to the truth

Christian Pulisic is once again the subject of plaudits, and rightly so after he got the goal that gave AC Milan a crucial lead against Hellas Verona.

As MilanNews recall, it was Pulisic’s eighth goal in the league and his 10th of the season across all competitions. He is the top scorer in Serie A together with Lautaro Martinez and since arriving in Italy (2023=24) he is one of only two players to have been involved in at least 50 league goals (31 goals, 19 assists for the American), along with Lautaro (53).

All this is despite his less than optimal physical condition, as Allegri confirmed in the press conference following the match at San Siro, stating: “He’s doing well, even if he’s still not physically well with this minor problem with his flexor. In fact, he’s making a few poor passes and is slowing down his play a bit.”

It has been a somewhat unfortunate season in this regard for the American, who suffered an ankle injury in preseason and a flexor while playing for the national team. When he’s been available, even with a fever, he’s practically always been decisive. A missed penalty against Juventus is really the only blemish in a season where personal records could tumble.

Pulisic-mania continues

At Milanello, everyone is in love with him, including Massimiliano Allegri and Marco Landucci. The coach’s assistant, with his Tuscan manner, declared that ‘when he shoots on goal, goalkeepers, they say, sound the death knell. When he shoots, he’s deadly’. The statistics confirm it: in Serie A, every two shots on target yield a goal.

To think that at the start of the year, there were some question marks about what role he’d have in Allegri’s 3-5-2, given that he’s a winger. He’s shown he can play his new role with great determination and footballing intelligence.

LeBron James of calcio 😏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/oc8VrTqDuK

— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 28, 2025

He can score goals in bunches, but he also knows how to interlink with his teammates, create space and drop deep to disorganise deep block defences. Since his arrival in Italy, he’s undergone a development journey that is making him a truly complete and versatile player.

Milan – joking about the viral meme that started on Pawn Stars – called him the ‘LeBron James of calcio’. If Chris could keep this form consistent, the meme, which he’s always embraced with a smile over the years, wouldn’t be so far from the truth.

As a side note, it’s shameful how the Italian media have produced dozens and dozens of rubbish articles about Chris’s private life based simply on a piece of nonsense that started on social media. Pulisic addressed them on Instagram, but he let the pitch do the talking.