Gareth Southgate Compares Christian Pulisic's USMNT Status To David Beckham's With England

England manager Gareth Southgate has compared Christian Pulisic to David Beckham due to the pressure attached to his 'Captain America' status.

England manager Gareth Southgate believes that Christian Pulisic will be forced to live in a different world than his USA teammates due to his status as 'Captain America'.

Pulisic, who first captained the USMNT aged just 20 in 2018, was given the title by fans in reference to the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name.

Chelsea winger Pulisic will be the most high-profile member of the USA's 26-man squad at Qatar 2022.

Southgate expects the 24-year-old to be under more pressure than those around him.

When asked about Pulisic's status as America's talisman, Southgate compared his situation to that of David Beckham in the England team 20 years ago.

Christian Pulisic pictured playing for the USMNT :: IMAGO/Icon SMI/Robin Alam

Southgate, who played 57 times for England between 1995 and 2004, told ESPN: "I've been fortunate that I lived that life in an England camp with Paul Gascoigne at the start, with David Beckham and with probably Wayne Rooney in terms of... we had other really outstanding players that you could argue were more influential for the team than some of those guys but their world was different.

"They were big box office, big story, big news story front and back pages and so that is a different dynamic for a coach to deal with and also the player themselves.

"In the end, of course, everything depends on playing well on the football pitch. But those big players do live a different life, there's different expectations around them. I think as a manager, you've always got to have an understanding of their world being different to everybody else's. But also, can you help them to deal with that?

"It is pressure. There's no hiding from that. You're on another level. That comes with great rewards, adulation and big marketing and sponsorship deals but in the end, if you don't deliver on the pitch, everything comes down more heavily on those guys."

Gareth Southgate (no.6) pictured in an England team photo in 2004 alongside his teammates, including David Beckham (no.7) and Wayne Rooney (no.9) :: IMAGO/Ulmer

Southgate's England will come face to face with Pulisic in their second group game in Qatar.

England play Iran in their group opener on November 21 before meeting the USA four days later.

Wales are the other team in Group B.