Overview
- Christian Pulisic injured his right lower leg when his foot struck Belgium captain Youri Tielemans during the U.S. Round of 16 match on Monday and was substituted in the 59th minute after trying to continue playing.
- X‑ray and MRI scans performed on Tuesday diagnosed a bone bruise and a microfracture of the right tibia and fibula, a finding US Soccer confirmed publicly on Thursday.
- Team doctors say the injury does not need immediate surgery and is expected to keep Pulisic out for several weeks with a target of returning to training before AC Milan’s Serie A opener on August 23.
- US Soccer stated he would not have been available for any further World Cup matches if the U.S. had advanced, and the federation and AC Milan will share responsibility for his recovery plan.
- The diagnosis offers medical context for criticism of Pulisic’s early exit and postmatch remark about having 'time to rest,' and it follows a World Cup in which he carried a preexisting calf issue and played limited minutes.