Champions League

Christian Pulisic: First American to play in and win a UEFA Champions League final

USMNT superstar Christian Pulisic has made history with Chelsea in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final. With the Blues victory, he became the second American to win the tournament and the first one to do so appearing in the final.

Christian Pulisic has had a season to remember with Chelsea (Getty).
Christian Pulisic has had a season to remember with Chelsea (Getty).

Christian Pulisic has capped off one of his best seasons at the elite level. The United States Men’s National Team figure has taken part in Chelsea‘s win over Manchester City in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final,becomingthe first American to appear in such a game and the second one to lift the trophy.

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The winger played an important part for Thomas Tuchel in the road to this amazing feat. Not only he got used to seeingthe field frequentlybut also been crucial to knocking Real Madrid out in the semifinals, for instance. The No. 10 has put his side in front in the first leg, which allowed them to return home with a significant away goal.

That night, he broke multiple records and proved to be capable of performing at the highest level. The US sensation still has a bright future ahead of him, as his latest success with Chelsea seems to be just the beginning for him.

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Christian Pulisic becomes the first American to play in a UCL final and win it

Even though there already was an American player who won the Champions League, Pulisic was the first one to do so playing a pivotal role in the team, taking part in the knockout stages, and featuringin the grand final.

He joined Jovan Kirovski as the only two Americans that got their hands into a UCL trophy, but the winger’s contribution to the title was bigger than that of the former LA Galaxy player. Kirovski only appeared intwo group stage games in Borussia Dortmund‘s 1997 campaign.

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Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic holding the highly desired Champions League trophy (Getty).

Pulisic, however, has had an outstanding performance in Chelsea’s journey towards their second European triumph. After his fifth Champions League campaign (three with Dortmund and two with Chelsea), hebecame the USMNT all-time leader in this tournament in goals (5), assists (7), wins (17), games started (22), games played (26), and minutes played (2113).

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With all those marks, it is quite clear why Christian Pulisic became such a thrilling player for the USMNT, as he even became the firstof their own to play in and win a UEFA Champions League final. He already broke multiple records, but as we’ve said before, he is just getting started.

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