USMNT star Weston McKennie speaks on contract future after 200th match with Juventus

Weston McKennie faces an uncertain future in Europe as he is out of current contract Juventus expires at the end of the 2025-2026 season. After reaching the mark of 200 appearances with the Italian giants, the USMNT star spoke for the first time about his future with the Vecchia Signora.

After participating Juventus McKennie spent 2020 on loan from Schalke 04, before completing a permanent €22 million (approximately $25 million) transfer in 2021. McKennie has come a long way in establishing himself in Italian football. After a loan spell at Leeds United during the 2023-2024 season, the midfielder returned to Turin, regained his place in the squad and signed a two-year contract extension.

With that deal approaching its final year, McKennie spoke to reporters at an event hosted by his charity, McKennie’s Magical Youth Mission, reflecting on his time at the club: “I was talking to my dad about it before and I said, ‘God, I’ve been here almost six years.’ Turin is a big part of my life, so I want to do everything I can for the people here.

The USMNT star was honored with a commemorative jersey in honor of his 200 appearances during Juventus’ match against AS Roma last Saturday. “It was a huge moment for me, for my family and for the people of America. For everyone, but especially for me: I am extremely happy to have reached this milestone. It’s hard to be here and appear 200 times, but I did it, and Hopefully there will be another hundred”, he stated.

During the second half of the 2024/25 season, McKennie re-established himself as a regular starter for Juventus, and under the arrival of head coach Luciano Spalletti, he has become one of the team’s cornerstones. “I hope to stay at Juventus. But I leave everything in the hands of my agent”, concluded the midfielder, clarifying his intention to continue not only in Europe, but specifically in Turin.

Juventus and a rebuilding process under Spalletti

Juventus, who appointed Luciano Spalletti ahead of the season, made a slow start to the 2025-26 season, dropping points due to multiple draws while balancing Serie A and Champions League commitments and lagging pace in both competitions. However, the past month has been the Turin side have found momentum, winning six of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Asked about the team’s recent form, McKennie pointed to Spalletti’s influence: “It was a difficult time before, but now we have rediscovered our identity. The coach, who is a great coach, knows how to play football and how to train players. I like him a lot and we hope to finish the year strong against Pisa by getting another three points.“

The USMNT midfielder also shared insight into Spalletti’s methodology. “He pays attention to the little things, the things that not everyone normally pays much attention to. He also talks to the players individually; he is a good coach even when it comes to his relationship with each player. In training he always says that you have to make sacrifices for the team and your teammates, and even to score goals. He says it’s better to offer help because you’ll laugh twice instead of just once”, he added.