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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Landon Donovan calls out Christian Pulisic on FOX broadcast</li><li>Milan star's father responds on social media</li><li>Reminds Donovan he took sabbatical in 2013, ahead of 2014 WC</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

‘Look in the mirror’ - Christian Pulisic's father fires back at USMNT legend Landon Donovan over Cristiano Ronaldo comparison

CONCACAF Gold Cup

Guatemala

<p>Christian Pulisic's father, Mark, criticized U.S. legend Landon Donovan for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/christian-pulisic-blasted-missing-international-duty-usmnt-legend-landon-donovan-cristiano-ronaldo-comparison-portugal-uefa-nations-league/blt0822eb0e742f571a" target="_self">his comments </a>regarding his son's absence from the U.S. men's national team this summer, Sunday evening.</p><p>The Milan star and U.S. Socce<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/ac-milan-and-usmnt-star-christian-pulisic-reportedly-out-for-2025-gold-cup-due-to-fitness-concerns/blt1dbe778dcd597b7a" target="_self">r came to an agreement </a>that the 26-year-old would be able to sit out the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, after two years of a heavily congested schedule left him feeling fatigued.</p><p>Donovan, part of the FOX studio show alongside Alexi Lalas for the UEFA Nations League finals on Sunday, did not name Pulisic in his comments, but subtly aimed a dig at him on-air after watching 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo lift the tournament trophy with the Portuguese national team.</p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/the-rondo-was-christian-pulisic-justified-in-skipping-the-gold-cup-who-are-the-biggest-question-marks-and-can-the-usmnt-win-the-tournament/blt19d68a6292b29753" target="_self"> <em>Is Pulisic justified in taking a break?</em></a></p><p>Mark responded Sunday evening, reminding the world through an Instagram post that Donovan took a sabbatical in 2013, which ultimately&nbsp;<a href="https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/usmnt/2024/10/02/klinsmann-donovan-sabbatical-led-to-2014-world-cup-cut/75485800007/">cost him a spot on the 2014 World Cup roster</a>. </p><p>"This guy is .. talking about commitment.. look in the mirror + grow a pair and call names out or are you afraid next time you want an interview you will get rejected again," Mark Pulisic said in his post.</p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKqGiVlJu-Z/?igsh=MXNudGRidHZzaDFvdQ==" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Donovan's comments arrived after the camera showed Ronaldo, 40, crying on the pitch with his head in his hands, celebrating.</p><p>"This is what it means to represent your country. And if you don’t want to take this, as a professional soccer player and someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don’t come in," he said.</p><p>He added, “This is what it means. He’s [Ronaldo] 40 years old, he played a long-a*s season, he’s tired, he was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process. And I can't help but think about some of our [USMNT] guys on vacation right now, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It’s p*ssing me off.”</p><p></p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The USMNT last won the Gold Cup in 2021, and Pulisic last played in the competition in 2019. Mexico were named champions in 2023.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The U.S. star is currently in his offseason, not with the national team, and Milan does not report for preseason training until July. </p><p>The USMNT, meanwhile, has one final tune-up match ahead of the Gold Cup, Tuesday evening, when they host Switzerland in an international friendly. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

‘Look in the mirror’ - Christian Pulisic's father fires back at USMNT legend Landon Donovan over Cristiano Ronaldo comparison | Goal.com

The Milan star&apos;s father addressed the on-air comments about Pulisic, reminding Donovan he took a sabbatical in 2013 ahead of the 2014 World Cup

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