It’s not every day that a national team coach draws a line connecting one of his players to Lionel Messi, the most decorated soccer player of the modern era. But Mauricio Pochettino did just that—deliberately and without hesitation.

Christian Pulisic will not be included on the USMNT roster when head coach Mauricio Pochettino names his 26-player squad for this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, multiple sources tell FOX Sports.

Mauricio Pochettino Wants Christian Pulisic to Emulate Lionel Messi for USMNT originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Lionel Messi is arguably one of the greatest Soccer players in history. He currently plies his trade for MLS club Inter Miami.