Erick Pulgar signs contract extension with Flamengo through 2029

Some contracts get signed for money, others get signed out of affection. Erick Pulgar's deal with Flamengo looks like one of the latter, though it also carries fine print about continuity and trust. The Rio de Janeiro club made official on Wednesday the renewal of its bond with the Chilean midfielder, who will keep wearing the black and red jersey through 2029. The signing took place alongside sporting director Jose Boto, in a scene that fans in Rio had already been celebrating before it became official.

Pulgar did not arrive at Flamengo as a last minute gamble. He landed in August 2022 and made his debut on August 28 of that year, in a 1-0 win over Botafogo in matchday 24 of the Brazilian Championship. Since then he has kept piling up minutes, appearances and, above all, titles.

The numbers back up the renewal: 172 matches played for the Rio de Janeiro side, 107 wins, 39 draws and 26 losses. He is not a player known for flashy offensive stats, but he still left his mark with six goals and nine assists from midfield. At 32 years old and born in Antofagasta, Pulgar has become a piece Flamengo did not want to lose as time went on.

A trophy case that commands respect

Looking back at the titles he helped win explains why the club decided to extend his stay. Pulgar was part of the Campeonato Carioca winning squads in 2024, 2025 and 2026, the 2025 Brazilian Championship and two Copa Libertadores triumphs, in 2022 and 2025. Add to that the 2025 Supercopa do Brasil, the 2024 Copa do Brasil, the 2025 FIFA Derby of the Americas, the 2025 FIFA Challenger Cup and the 2026 Algarve Trophy. It's a collection few midfielders on the roster can match with that kind of consistency.

With the Chilean national team, the midfielder has racked up 54 caps and four goals, and was also part of the squad that won the 2016 Copa America. That background with the Roja also factored into Flamengo's decision to lock him down through 2029, betting on a player who combines international experience with total identification with the club.

Pulgar himself did not hide his emotion after putting pen to paper:

I'm very happy. This is what my family and I wanted. The time I've spent here, all the work and perseverance I've put in, led me to become the player I am today. And the most important thing is that the fans' affection is the greatest reward I have.Erick Pulgar

Now it remains to be seen what new chapters the Chilean writes in Rio de Janeiro. With a contract through 2029, Pulgar has plenty of time left to keep adding to a list that already sounds like a quiet legend in Flamengo's midfield.