When Lionel Messi landed in the United States, one thing was clear: a major shift was about to unfold in the country’s domestic soccer scene. In fact, it’s been no ordinary metamorphosis, with the Argentinian superstar’s impact on America’s beautiful game often compared to Michael Jordan’s influence on the NBA. So, it’s only natural for USMNT forward Christian Pulisic to step up—not quite to LeBron James’ level, but at least to make soccer ‘as popular as some of the other American sports.’

In a country filled with basketball, baseball, and rugby fanatics, there’s hardly room for soccer to take its spot at the top. Then again, hope lingers as the States’ aficionados of the beautiful game give it their all to at least make it competitive among sports with such massive viewership. So, can we expect Pulisic to do the same?

“To LeBron James’s level, no,” began the AC Milan forward during his interview with GQ, when asked if he could one day become that integral to American sports culture. “But do I think I can be a big part of helping the sport grow and helping our national team grow and creating a whole culture around the sport, and hopefully trying to be—yeah.”

The Land of Liberty may have a greater global reach around other sports but for soccer, things have been a bit sporadic when compared to other nations, especially across Europe. However, with the United States proudly hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside fellow neighbors Canada and Mexico, Pulisic hopes that as a captain of his nation, the winger will be able to create a bigger impact through his leadership.

“It’s the biggest sport in so many other countries and in the whole world. So I hope we can climb and try to get there and make it as popular as some of the other American sports are. But as far as LeBron, maybe not,” concluded Pulisic. In short, Mr. Captain America is keen to make the most of helping his nation dominate the very sport he plays. However, the bigger question is how exactly is Pulisic being pressured to transform soccer while being compared to someone like LeBron James?

Christian Pulisic denies himself as the ‘LeBron James of soccer’

Before we make you familiar with the backstory, know that Pulisic is the last one to even like being dubbed LeBron James of soccer. “It’s funny, I’ll be traveling across the world and you’ll hsanear a random person shout that, and you’re just like, there’s no way that has become a thing. LeBron was one of my favorite athletes growing up, too. The people that get offended by it, saying, ‘Don’t even compare those two!’”

“It’s 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 that said it I’m sure isn’t that knowledgeable about soccer,” added the former Chelsea star. For those who don’t recall how exactly Pulisic ended up getting such a nickname, it all starts with one of the episodes of Pawn Stars, the renowned American reality TV show about a shop in Downtown Vegas.

Apparently, a fan had managed to get his hands on Pulisic’s signed Chelsea jersey and came to sell it to the store. Star co-host of the show, Corey Harrison, with little knowledge of the game, surprisingly called Pulisic ‘LeBron James of Soccer.’ Since then, the joke has been in the running, keeping both basketball and soccer fans restless.

No wonder Christian Pulisic has been warning us that, while he holds the ambition of taking soccer to the next level, it cannot be compared to the impact LeBron James has had in the basketball realm.