​Even when injured, Christian Pulisic still finds a way to stay on the field in spirit and in action. Three days after suffering a bone bruise and a microfracture to his right tibia and fibula during the United States men’s national team’s round-of-16 defeat to Belgium, Pulisic visited a Florida camp organized by his foundation. Photos released by the Pulisic Foundation showed him wearing a protective brace on his injured right leg. In accompanying captions, the foundation noted that he stopped by “soon after returning from the World Cup” to greet and encourage the children at the foundation’s training session, adding that there was plenty of signing, smiling, and inspiration for the next generation. The message underscored the idea that this is what it’s all about.
Pulisic left the United States’ final World Cup game on Monday, July 6, in the 59th minute after colliding with Belgium’s Youri Tielemans. He later said that the clash left him with a twisted ankle and knee in a single play. An MRI and X-ray conducted the following day confirmed a bone bruise and microfracture, a diagnosis publicly announced by U.S. Soccer on Wednesday, July 8. Both U.S. Soccer and Pulisic’s club team, AC Milan, said they would collaborate on a recovery plan tailored to his condition.
The injury marked Pulisic’s second setback of the World Cup. He had exited the opener against Paraguay at halftime after aggravating a left calf issue, causing him to miss the Australia match. He did not play the first half of the group-stage finale versus Turkey, though he did re-enter for the second half. In the round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pulisic started, and he also played the full match against Belgium.
Looking back, Pulisic admitted that the string of injuries weighed on him. “With one earlier and then another injury now, it just sucked. It was tough. It was difficult for me to deal with,” he said, also expressing disappointment with his own World Cup performance. Yet he stressed his belief in the strength of the team. “But we have a great team,” he said. “There are so many guys that stepped up this tournament, that should be really the focus.”
This summary reflects reporting originally published by USA TODAY, highlighting Pulisic’s appearance at a youth camp while wearing a brace on his injured right leg as part of ongoing coverage of his recovery and involvement in community initiatives.