It might be a bit of a meme to call Christian Pulisic the LeBron James of soccer, but he is one of the best-known players in the world, and a Champions League winner with Chelsea. Let’s take a look at his most valuable rookie cards. 

Christian Pulisic is one of the bigger names in world football, after bursting onto the scene with German club Borussia Dortmund at the age of 17. He joined Chelsea in 2019, where he broke various records, such as the youngest player to score a hat-trick with the side, and the first American to feature (and win) a UEFA Champions League Final.

We’ll take you through 10 top Christian Pulisic rookie cards to collect, with lots of information about each option. 

The Best Christian Pulisic Rookie Cards

Released back in 2016/17, his rookie collectibles feature the player for either the United States or Dortmund. 

10. 2016 Topps UCL Sticker Christian Pulisic (eBay)

Look no further if you’re interested in a more affordable option from Pulisic’s first professional season with Dortmund. This double sticker is shared with Julian Weigl, who now features for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach.

9. 2016 Topps UCL Showcase Christian Pulisic #25 (eBay)

The 2016-17 Topps UEFA Champions League Showcase collection is where you’ll find one of the earliest Pulisic rookie cards, although his sole card from the set is unsigned. You will be able to find a range of numbered parallels, as well as a Orange Blaster version which is seen in the image above. 

• Parallels: Orange (Blaster), Gold #/99, Red #/25, Black #/5, Champions 1/1.

8. 2016 Panini Black Gold Christian Pulisic #A-CP (eBay)

A debut for the set, 2016-17 Panini Black Gold Soccer contains a trio of Pulisic rookie cards. (Interestingly, the base card and auto are from his time with Dortmund, while the Stars Medallions insert is a United States-themed release.) The auto is especially clean, and is placed to the right hand side of the player image. 

• Parallels: Bronze #/99, Holo Gold #/25, Black Gold 1/1

7. 2016 Panini USA First Caps Christian Pulisic #9 (eBay)

Found in 2016 Panini USA Soccer, Pulisic’s First Caps insert is one of the more affordable options to make the list. It was released to commemorate his debut for the national team, when he became the youngest American to play in a World Cup qualifier in March 2016. 

• Parallels: Holo

6. 2016 Panini WCCF Christian Pulisic #A14 (eBay)

Next up is Panini Sega World Club Champion Football 2016-2017. The Japanese set has been running since 2001-02, featuring a yearly update with the biggest stars from each season. As you may have guessed, this is another of the more affordable Pulisic RCs to make the list. 

5. 2016 Panini Donruss Christian Pulisic #224 (eBay)

2016-17 Donruss Soccer features a design which is likely to be more recognizable for US collectors. ‘Donruss Debuts’ are equivalent to rookie cards, and can be found at a rate of one in every 12 packs. There are further parallels to chase, which change the border color. (For example, the Gold parallel is seen in the image above.)

• Parallels: Gold, Holographic, Purple, Silver, Swirlorama, Press Proof Die-Cuts #/149, Canvas #/49, Mosaic #/15

4. 2016 Panini Select Christian Pulisic #150/#287 (eBay)

From here on out, we’ll be looking at Pulisic RCs found in 2016-17 Panini Select Soccer. As always, there are three different 100-card base subsets, although the US rookie is only found in Mezzanine (10 per box), and Field Level (1:6 packs). You’ll find a range of Die-Cut parallels with the former, and Prizms with the latter.

• Parallels: Multi-Color Prizms, Silver Prizms
• Die-Cut Parallels: Light Blue #/249, Purple #/149, Neon Green #/60, Tie-Dye #/30, Camo #/20, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1

• Field Level Parallels: Silver Prizms, Multi-Color Prizms, White #/99, Copper #/49, Tie-Dye Prizms #/30, Camo Prizms #/20, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1

3. 2016 Panini Select Christian Pulisic #1 (eBay)

As the name implies, the Emerging Star Signatures subset focuses on some of the more exciting rookies and stars from the 2016 season. Every player from this subset is depicted in their international kit, and there’s a stickered auto filled in blue ink. 

• Parallels: Orange #/75, Neon Green Die-cuts #/60, Copper #/49, Tie-Dye #/30, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1

2. 2016 Panini Select Christian Pulisic Auto #14 (eBay)

If you’d prefer the base auto from 2016-17 Panini Select Soccer, it comes with a range of parallels to chase, and it uses a strong action shot of Pulisic as the main focus. Once again, it’s a sticker auto rather than being hard-signed, but it’s still a popular option that works out to be one of the most valuable overall.

• Parallels: Orange #/75, Neon Green Die-Cuts #/60, Copper #/49, Tie-Dye #/30, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1

1. 2016 Panini Select Christian Pulisic #JA-CP (eBay)

Sticking with 2016-17 Panini Select Soccer, you’re not going to do better than this RPA from Pulisic’s time with the United States National Team. The auto is of the stickered variety, and the patch isn’t the largest, but it’s still one of the most valuable RC options to feature ‘Captain America’. The patch is player worn, although it’s not from a specific game or event.  

• Parallels: White #/99, Neon Green #/60, Tie-dye #/30, Gold #/10, Green #5, Black 1/1

Buyers Guide 

Pulisic rookie cards are cheaper than you might have expected. Maybe it’s because he’s failed to cement himself within the Chelsea first XI, despite showing promise whenever he’s given a run of games. Here are our thoughts surrounding his best rookie cards. 

With a range of signatures and autographs from his rookie year with Team USA, it’s hard to look past the 2016 RPA if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck. There are cheaper options available, although manufacturers were quick to capitalize on the young US star’s meteoric rise.

Final Thoughts 

Pulisic hasn’t lived up to his early promise so far, despite being a squad member for a side that won the Champions League. He could do with a move away to get a good run of form, and a chance to live up to his true potential. On the other hand, it  could still work at Chelsea, and we’re yet to see Pulisic in his prime. 

The Dortmund options tend to be cheaper, especially with a market that is predominantly located in the United States. We’re holding onto our Christian Pulisic rookie cards for now.

World Cup Alert: Pulisic is sure to feature at the 2022 World Cup, as a focal point for his side. Expect his rookie card values to rise as a consequence.