Christian Pulisic aka ‘Captain America’ is one of the best American players in the world right now. From a successful stint in Germany with Dortmund to vital part of the Champions League-winning Chelsea squad and now showcasing his brilliance at AC Milan, he has done so much in such little time. Despite his ability and potential, he has often encountered the dismissive notion that American players aren’t as skilled or capable as their European teammates.

Pulisic, when asked about the bias against USMNT players, said,”That was a tough one. When they ask you the question, “Do you think it exists”—well, I think they showed in that clip where there’s a lot of people saying that Americans are crap or there’s no good players. You could see it’s there. But at the same time, I honestly never use that as an excuse in any way.” He did not shy away from the fact that there is a certain amount of favoritism against them.“Do I think there were times when there was potentially an opportunity for me or another guy, and they have to pick someone? Yeah.”, he added.

Though he acknowledges that the bias is real, the USMNT star clarified that he never used it as an excuse. Instead, he turned it into fuel for his drive and determination.“I never said, Aw, that’s not fair. It inspired me and drove me to want to be that much better, and improve, and say, “You know what? I’m not even going to let this be a decision, a 50-50.” He reflected on how he focused on improving rather than dwelling on any setbacks. He is keen on breaking the stereotype that American players lack the technicality and skills that are bound to be common among European players.

Christian Pulisic gave credit to his father for inculcating the work ethic and mindset. The Milan attacker revealed, ” I think my dad did a really good job of instilling that in me, that no-excuse mentality. It doesn’t matter, you gotta just keep working. And if you’re good enough, at the end of the day, you will overcome it all.” 

While players like Mckennie, Reyna, Weah, and many more dominate in foreign leagues, it is evident that they are dedicated to changing the common perception of US soccer. Players like Christian Pulisic are not only open about such issues but also focused on growth as an individual and breaking through the bias barriers.

Non-European bias: not the first time!

Soccer is a sport that is celebrated all over the world with the motto ‘the sport is for all’, where every player irrespective of his background comes together and plays. However, despite the friendly nature of soccer, there have been several scenarios where non-European players have to face bias and fight against favoritism.

This bias has its roots in a variety of ways, from assumptions about certain players’ abilities to their treatment by fans and social media. One of the most pervasive biases non-European players face is the stereotype of not being up to mark in the case of their technicality. This bias is particularly evident in the way these players are described by the media. Players like Didier Drogba or Yaya Touré, for example, were often celebrated for their physical attributes—size, speed, and strength—rather than their tactical understanding or technical prowess.

Media showcasing of non-European players also adds fuel to the fire. The bias against non-European players based on their footballing skills remains a huge hurdle in the soccer world. The future of soccer lies in its beauty- the ability of the sport to celebrate the players despite their varied backgrounds.