Is Christian Pulisic underrated because he is American? Ex-USMNT star Stuart Holden thinks so, because he doesn’t shy away from the popular stigma

Christian Pulisic is in the mold of his Milan career, yet discussions surrounding him continue to revolve around an unexpected theme: recognition. Former USMNT midfielder Stuart Holden believes the issue goes beyond goals, assists or Milan’s status in Serie A. His argument centered around whether that is the case American talent is judged through a different lens has reopened a debate that more persistently shadows Pulisic than most of his markers.

The answer Holden gives to the question of whether Pulisic is underrated because he is American seems simple, but what he actually says later in the conversation has an edge, one that turns the question into something more mysterious.

The level of the 27-year-old is not in question. He has achieved good results in his first nine games of the season in Serie A and the cup six goals and two assistsdriving the Rossoneri’s attacking structure with both efficiency and flair. His impact was immediate, decisive and, crucially, consistent. According to The American arm of Goalhis start to the season puts him on course for the most productive year of his European career.

And yet, despite the numbers, the performances and the influence he has on the club’s attacking rhythm, Holden insists the football world is reluctant to put Pulisic at the level he deserves. The question he was asked continued The Rondo – a show produced by Target USA – straight to the point: would Pulisic be seen differently if he had chosen to represent Croatia, his grandfather’s home country? Holden didn’t hesitate. But he didn’t fully reveal his strongest point – not yet.

Passport, a family tree and a perception problem

Pulisic’s grandfather, Mate, was born on the Croatian island of Olib. When Pulisic moved to Borussia Dortmund at the age of 17, he obtained Croatian citizenship, a necessary step to avoid complications with work permits in Germany. This detail has haunted him throughout his career: the idea that He could have represented the Checkered Ones, but they didn’t.

The point is important because Croatia, a country with a strong football heritage and two World Cup podium finishes in the last decade, commands a different kind of European respect. Playing for the USMNT, a team still fighting prejudice, comes with a different set of assumptions – fair or not. It is here, in the middle of the argument, that Holden finally reveals what he really believes.

What did Stuart Holden say about Pulisic?

Holden’s response was blunt and quickly spread on social media. “Would Pulisic be appreciated more if he played for Croatia? Absolute. There is still a stigma surrounding American football.” That was the core of his argument: clear, unfiltered and aimed directly at football’s global prejudices.

But he didn’t stop there. Holden then made the comparison that lit up X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and football forums within hours. “I saw the images online, if that was his name Pulisian and he played for Croatia, he would be worth €50 million. If he was Pulisicinho and Brazilian, he would be worth €90 million. And I think that’s absolutely true.”

The numbers may be hypothetical, but the sentiment was not. The 40-year-old added: “He is currently a top 25 player in the world. He is playing great football in a top five league for a team at the top of the table.”