Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are currently at the summit of world football, but their reign will come to a close in the coming years. A host of young players are in a position to take the baton and Pulisic is certainly one of them.
The statistics boasted by the Borussia Dortmund forward surpass those of Messi and Ronaldo before turning 19, the age Cristian Pulisic reached on September 18.
The numbers of the Argentine and the Portuguese footballers were considerably inferior at that age. Before turning 19, Pulisic made 60 appearances for Dortmund, more than Ronaldo (53) or Messi (34) for their respective clubs.
The United States international began his career as an attacking midfielder before moving out to the wing last season, and he has also displayed a keen eye for goal. Before his latest birthday, he had scored 9 official goals, tha same as Messi and three more than Ronaldo (6).
When it comes to international caps, Pulisic transcends both players with ease. Messi had made 9 appearances by that age, while Ronaldo did not make his full Portugal debut until he was 19, in the 2004 Euro his team lost in the final. Pulisic has already represented his country 18 times.
He has also scored more goals for his national team. His seven goals for the USA exceed the two converted by Messi and the lack of goals for Ronaldo at that point. Figures not yet of great significance, but wholly promising.