[1] He had several nicknames: amongst the most famous were Pupi and the one created for him by the journalist Gianni Brera, Puliciclone (a pun on his family name, Pulici, and Ciclone, Italian for "cyclone").

At international level, he represented Italy at two FIFA World Cups, first in 1974, and subsequently in 1978, where he helped the team to a fourth-place finish.

Initially courted by Internazionale, he was ultimately rejected as the club believed his left-foot only shooting could not match that of their striker Sandro Mazzola.

Pulici made his full international debut on 30 March 1973, in a 5–0 win over Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier in Genoa.

[4] After retiring, he joined the technical staff of Piacenza as assistant coach,[2] after the Emilian club contacted him to resume athletic activities.

[7] A fast, dynamic, and physically strong player,[5] he was particularly gifted in the air and was known for his ability to score acrobatic goals; he was also an accomplished penalty kick taker.