Yunus Musah’s Decision on Gold Cup Participation
Yunus Musah has disclosed that he opted out of the United States’ Gold Cup participation this summer due to exhaustion, a choice he believes will benefit his performance for AC Milan and the upcoming World Cup next year. Alongside Musah, teammates Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson also missed the tournament, which saw the U.S. team reach the final, ultimately falling to Mexico 2-1 in Texas.
Coach’s Insight and Personal Reflections
According to USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, Musah communicated a personal reason for his withdrawal, particularly after a demanding season where he made 48 appearances. In a recent interview with ESPN on The Football Reporters podcast, Musah expressed regret about missing the Gold Cup but emphasized that the decision was essential for his well-being.
“Honestly, I was gutted that I couldn’t go to the Gold Cup. The coaches were all disappointed that I didn’t go, but ultimately I needed to make that decision for myself because I needed to switch off after a tough season,” Musah stated.
He further elaborated, stating,
“It was a very tough decision because people could easily say: ‘everyone else is playing, why aren’t you?’ But no one else is in my body, no one else is in my head. Everyone that knows me understands that I am honest and committed, but there come times when you need to prioritize your health.”
He stressed that the time off was crucial for him to return ready to contribute significantly to both his club and national team.
Future at AC Milan
Musah’s future at AC Milan has been under scrutiny since Massimiliano Allegri took the reins from Sérgio Conceição in May, with speculation linking him to Napoli, Nottingham Forest, and Atalanta. Amid this uncertainty, it was hinted that Musah’s style may not fully align with Allegri’s tactics. Despite being on the bench for Milan’s Serie A opening defeat against Cremonese and coming off the bench in the Coppa Italia win over Bari, reports indicate Allegri might now be more inclined to involve Musah in matches.
Having transferred to Milan from Valencia for €20 million in 2023, Musah expressed contentment with his current club, stating,
“I am happy at Milan. It is a great club. I’d love to win some great things here. It felt really nice winning the Super Cup last season, and I want more success. I am just happy here and looking to work hard and be a main player in the team.”
