U.S. forward Christian Pulisic sustained a bone bruise and microfracture in his right leg during Monday's World Cup loss to Belgium.
Pulisic appeared to suffer the injury in the 52nd minute when he went to shoot at the edge of the penalty box but instead kicked the back of Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans' foot. Pulisic attempted to play through but was visibly in pain and was substituted in the 59th minute.
According to the NY Times, medical examinations revealed a bone bruise and microfracture involving the tibia/fibula. Pulisic was seen on crutches at the U.S. team hotel the following day.
Key Facts
Injury: Bone bruise and microfracture
Location: Tibia/fibula area
Return Timeline: Several weeks, not months
AC Milan Outlook
Pulisic is expected to be sidelined for several weeks, but the injury is not expected to keep him out for multiple months.
That timeline puts him on track for a potential return to give him a chance to resume training before the start of the new Serie A season. AC Milan open their campaign away at Torino on Aug. 23.
Bottom Line
Christian Pulisic's World Cup ended with a bone bruise and microfracture in his leg after an awkward kicking collision against Belgium. While the injury would have ruled him out of additional World Cup matches, the current expectation is that he will miss several weeks rather than months, keeping him on track for a possible August return with AC Milan.
