What USMNT's Christian Pulisic has to say about being called The "LeBron James of Soccer"
The USMNT player shared how he deals with the nickname that associates him with the NBA player.
Christian Pulisic has become the central figure for U.S. Soccer on the international Stage. 'Captain America' which is one of his nicknames as captain of the USMNT, he's arguably playing the best football of his career with Serie A powerhouse AC Milan, as the 2026 World Cup approaching.
In a conversation with Sports Illustrated, Pulisic discussed his time at Milan and reflected on the nickname "the LeBron James of soccer." This moniker gained attention during an episode of the nine-part documentary series ‘Pulisic’.
What's Pulisic thoughts about being called "LeBron James of Soccer"?
During the launch of Milan's fourth kit, which was worn in their 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona on Saturday, the USMNT star spoke with Sports Illustrated about the amusing “LeBron James of soccer” comparison. Pulisic reflected on the nickname's origins from a 2021 episode of Pawn Stars.
"The comparison to LeBron is, of course, just a funny meme and nothing more,” Pulisic said. “It really took off globally — when we were in Saudi Arabia, a kid saw me and immediately yelled something about James! But I don’t mind it."
“If anyone seriously debates that I’m not even close to LeBron, well, that’s true — he’s a giant, and I play for Milan."
The nickname originated from an episode where an appraiser casually compared Pulisic to LeBron while valuing a signed Chelsea jersey. The phrase quickly became an online sensation, sparking jokes among fans.
“LeBron was one of my favorite athletes growing up,” Pulisic added. “For those who get offended and say, ‘Don’t even compare them!’ It’s just a joke. It’s a meme. People need to lighten up."
“I don’t think I’m the LeBron James of soccer. That’s why it’s funny, because the guy who said it probably isn’t very knowledgeable about soccer."
Pulisic in the 2024 Copa América against Jamaica. Photo: AFP
Despite the humor, both athletes have a mutual admiration for each other. Pulisic wore a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey to the 2018 NBA Finals, and LeBron later returned the gesture by sharing a photo of himself wearing a USMNT shirt with Pulisic’s name on it.
Beyond the meme, Pulisic’s impact at Milan is clear. After recording 12 goals and 9 assists this season, the club is reportedly nearing a contract extension for Pulisic through 2028 or 2029.
Zlatan Ibrahimović's influence on Pulisic strengthens
Pulisic also emphasized the significant role Zlatan Ibrahimović has played in his time at Milan. “I think we’ve had a strong relationship from the beginning. He was upfront with me about what to expect from the club. Once you get to know him, he’s very direct—he tells you what’s on his mind, and I really appreciate that.
“I also think he reached out to me during difficult times, and he genuinely cares about the players. He often asks us, ‘How’s your head?’ because he wants us to be mentally prepared and focused when we train. He reminds us that if everything is good off the field, it’ll reflect in our performance on the field,” Pulisic shared.