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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kyle O'Sullivan

Christian Pulisic's nickname from Chelsea fans - and he hates teammates saying it

Christian Pulisic is a proud American - but he's not too keen on the nickname that's been given to him by Chelsea supporters.

The tricky winger's side play Dinamo Zagreb tonight in their final Champions League group stage game - but are safe in the knowledge that their place as group winner's is already confirmed.

Pulisic, who has struggled to nail down a place in Graham Potter's side this season and has recently been delpoyed as a wing-back after Reece James' injury, will be hoping to make an impression on the pitch.

But it seems there is one chant from the Chelsea fans that he doesn't really want to here.

Due to his nationality and high standards on the pitch, Pulisic has been given the nickname 'Captain America'.

For those who don't watch Marvel films or read the comics, Captain American is a member of the Avengers who was injected with super solider serum.

This particularly came to prominence during the 2020 FA Cup final against Arsenal, where the American gave the Blues the lead in the sixth minute.

Pulisic will be playing for the USA at the World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)
Chris Evans plays the hero in the Marvel movies (Marvel Entertainment LLC)

After his rapid goal, 'Captain America' began trending on Twitter as thousands of people started to heap praise on the attacker.

Pulisic was the first American-born player to score in the FA Cup final, which has been running since 1872, and only the third to play in a final after Sheffield Wednesday midfielder John Harkes and Everton keeper Tim Howard.

However, the former Borussia Dortmund player's joy was short-lived as Arsenal equalised before half time and he was subbed off with an injury shortly after the break.

Chelsea would go on to lose the game 2-1 to Arsenal, but the 'Captain America' nickname lived on.

Pulisic scored in the 2020 FA Cup final (Getty Images)

However, Pulisic is not a big fan of his moniker and is hoping that the Chelsea fans will come up with something a bit more imaginative.

"I'm not a big fan of being called that, to be honest—especially by my teammates," he told GQ in January 2021.

During a Q&A session with GQ Sports last months, the forward was asked what he thought about his nickname

"I don't know if I like any of those," he replied. "I'm pretty much used to Captain America at this point. It's funny because there are also other Captain Americas to me.

"So that's fine, but I think we need a little bit more work on a good nickname for sure."

Pulisic after scoring against Wolves this season (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

But Team USA legend Alexi Lalas, who played in the 1994 World Cup in his home country, thinks his countryman should not fight the nickname.

Lalas says Pulisic will only make people use the name even more if he challenges it - and thinks there are much worse things he could be called.

He also suggested that the Chelsea player could cash in by marketing and branding the nickname, although Disney might have a thing or too to say.

"Christian Pulisic not liking Captain America is gonna make a lot of people call him Captain America more," Lalas told TMZ Sports.

"He needs to read the room. You don’t get to pick your nickname. People get to pick your nickname. It’s a really good nickname."

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