MILAN — Christian Pulisic has been in Italy for less than three years, but he has some advice for U.S. fans to follow if they want to adapt to local culture during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
“It’s mostly food-related, to be honest,” the U.S. men’s soccer star told “TODAY.”
“You definitely can’t cut your pasta. You can’t have certain things on the dish together; you need separate plates,” he said. “(There’s) a funny rule here where they don’t like any type of milk in the coffee after a certain time. It’s just your typical Italians being stubborn, I guess.”
Pulisic, a forward for legendary Serie A club AC Milan, is quite possibly the most famous American living in Milan today. He joined the club in July 2023 after multiple years with Chelsea in England and Borussia Dortmund in Germany and is second in the league in goals this season.
And because he’s in the middle of a hotly contested season — AC Milan is in second place behind crosstown rival Inter Milan — he said he isn’t sure whether he’ll have much time to check out the Olympics.
“If my schedule allows it, I’d really love to go see any USA event. I’d love to see some hockey,” he said. “It’s great having (the Olympics) here. I’m excited. The city’s really buzzing right now.”
Though Pulisic admitted he’s more into the Summer Olympics, he has a fondness for the events on ice and snow.
“I was a big fan of watching (snowboarding legend) Shaun White,” he said. “When he did the half-pipe thing going down that hill on the snowboard, I thought that was the sickest event ever.”
Pulisic knows a thing or two about representing Team USA on the biggest stage.
Nicknamed “Captain America,” he has played on the U.S. men’s national team since 2016. He was an integral part of the 2022 group that reached the World Cup’s round of 16 before losing to the Netherlands.
That team found success with a very young group, including Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah and Sergiño Dest. Now, they’ll be back with largely the same roster but much more experience and a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino.
Team USA will also have the advantage of playing games close to home. The 2026 World Cup will be played across North America, beginning in Los Angeles on June 13.
“Having your support and fans there is always great,” Pulisic said. “We’re going to have to play well regardless, but it’ll be an extra piece of motivation for us.”
He added that he feels no extra pressure based on the location.
“No matter what, wherever you’re playing the World Cup, there’s pressure. I’m going to just try to live in the moment and enjoy it the best I can,” he said.
“(My goals are) more team oriented. We’re trying to get through the group stage, first of all. I want to help my team do whatever way I can. From there, just be a good leader and help us hopefully advance as far as we can in the tournament.”
