Carli Lloyd Addresses Christian Pulisic Criticism After Injury Update, 'Don't Owe Anyone An Apology'

United States women's national team legend Carli Lloyd defended her sharp criticism of Christian Pulisic after the men's team lost in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

In particular, Lloyd didn't like Pulisic getting subbed off in the 59th minute of the 4-1 defeat to Belgium.

It was subsequently confirmed by the USMNT that AC Milan star suffered a bone bruise and microfracture in his leg. Despite learning the severity of the injuries, Lloyd posted Thursday, "I don't owe anyone an apology."

Lloyd isn't the only U.S. legend who has had some choice words for the national team's most notable star.

Relating his own experiences, Landon Donovan laid out how Pulisic can mentally move on from the World Cup disappointment. However, he also claimed that "people are fed up with the way things are handled around him."

Donovan also asserted "you would have had to drag me off the field," implying Pulisic should've stayed on the pitch against Belgium.

In general, there are two different conversations happening here.

The performance of the men's national team in the round of 16 left a lot to be desired. The United States had a leaky defense, one that committed multiple gaffes, and it mustered little attack at the other end.

Top to bottom, Belgium is simply a better squad than the U.S., but the Americans could've at least been more competitive.

When it comes to Pulisic, his profile is probably bigger than his actual talent level. Sure, he has played at some prominent European clubs, but he's simply not an elite star on the world stage. He was 61st in Bleacher Report's individual power rankings heading into the World Cup.

The 27-year-old has been hyped up a little too much by a fanbase desperate for an American soccer savior, and maybe he has bought into that himself.

The criticism of Pulisic's and the team's effort this summer is more than fair.

Questioning his toughness or demanding him to play through an injury is, however, out of bounds.

As much as the World Cup matters, Pulisic's career will continue past July. Of course, he should be committed to the national team every time he plays, but not at the risk of injuring himself in a significant way.

There's also the fact that having Sebastian Berhalter at 100 percent was probably better for the United States' hopes of mounting a comeback than leaning on a visibly hurt Pulisic.

And it's now clear the veteran attacker wasn't dealing with some minor muscle issue that could be shrugged off.