Meet 'Captain America' Christian Pulisic, the Pennsylvania native and most expensive US soccer player ever who's leading the 'golden generation' at the World Cup

At just 24 years old, Pulisic is already regarded as one of the best US soccer players of all time. Now playing at his first-ever World Cup, Pulisic is expected to lead the USMNT's golden generation of young and talented players in Qatar.

Nicknamed "Captain America," Pulisic, a winger, has played over 50 matches and scored more than 20 goals for the US.

The US plays its first match of the tournament against Wales on November 21.

"I've done a lot of things I want to do, but the World Cup is something on top of all of that," Pulisic said in a report by The Washington Post. "That's just been a dream my whole life. I'm sure getting into that moment is going to be special."

Growing up, Pulisic played soccer for development clubs like PA Classics in Pennsylvania.

"It was a big step in my career. They gave me a lot," Pulisic told Fox News in a 2021 interview.

Pulisic also lived in Michigan and England for several years in his childhood — and even snagged a trial with future club Chelsea when he was 11 years old.

Pulisic was born to Mark and Kelley Pulisic, who played soccer at a college level for George Mason University in Virginia. Mark also played professional indoor soccer for a local Pennsylvania club.

"We never put too much pressure on him just because we play," Mark told TUDN USA in a 2017 interview. "We felt that his development would take care of itself if he always had the passion to play."

Pulisic was just 20 years old when he first captained the USMNT. He donned the captain's armband for the first time in a friendly against Italy in November 2018.

While it has yet to be decided who will captain the USMNT at the Qatar World Cup, Pulisic is expected to continue skipper duties at the tournament.

"I really don't put that pressure on myself. Obviously a lot of Americans do," Pulsic said in a report by The Evening Standard. "All I can do is give my best, be a part of this team, be there for the young guys. I mean I'm young too."

Pulisic captained the USMNT to win the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League, and scored the winning penalty in the final against Mexico in June 2021.

He was named in the team of the tournament, which comprised 11 of the best players across four positions — goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.

"It was a massive, massive game for us just to show CONCACAF what we're about," Pulisic told ESPN in a 2021 interview, adding that scoring the winning goal was "a big moment."

Pulisic was also awarded the US Men's Soccer Player of the Year thrice — in 2017, 2019, and 2021.

Pulisic first made his name in European soccer during his three-year career with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, the top-flight league in Germany. Pulisic played for Dortmund from 2016 to 2019, winning the DFB-Pokal in 2017.

Pulisic moved to Germany when he was just 15 years old, and is fluent in German.

"I would say the youth systems in Germany are what have impressed me the most," Pulisic previously told ESPN. " I literally went through the system. You're fighting with other players every day for a pro contract."

Pulisic won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, where he played in the final match against Manchester City. Pulisic also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea in the same year.

While Jovan Kirovski is the first-ever US player to win the Champions League, Pulisic is the first and only to play in a final and emerge victorious.

"I'm just so proud to be here. It's been a difficult road for me and I couldn't imagine winning the Champions League ever in my life — and now I'm here," Pulisic told CBS Sports.