Erick Pulgar Signs Flamengo Extension Through 2029, Celebrates With a Stroke of Genius Against Mirasol

One pass. Just one. Sometimes that's all it takes to justify a contract extension. Erick Pulgar had just signed through 2029 with Flamengo, and the moment he got the ball at his feet, he produced an assist that will stick in the memory of the club's fans.

The Chilean started in Flamengo's 2-0 win over Mirasol in the Brasileirao, and although his time on the field was brief, it was enough to make the difference. In the 14th minute, the midfielder from Antofagasta threaded a first-time volleyed pass that tore through the entire opposing defense. Jorge Carrascal only had to finish it off to make it 1-0. It was the kind of play you see once or twice a matchday.

The odd part is that Pulgar didn't even last half an hour on the pitch. In the 31st minute he felt discomfort in his thigh and, rather than risk it, asked to be substituted himself. It was a sensible call given the packed schedule ahead for Flamengo, but it left everyone who was enjoying his performance wanting more.

Because it wasn't just the assist. The Brazilian press once again fell for the Chilean midfielder, something that's becoming routine in Rio de Janeiro. Globoesporte summed it up like this after the match:

He had another great performance and made an excellent pass that led to Carrascal's goal. He had to be substituted in the 30th minute of the first half after taking a knock. The Chilean felt pain in his thigh and asked to be replaced.Globoesporte

The reaction on social media was similar. "That pass from Pulgar is pure genius" and "spectacular pass" were among the comments circulating as soon as the match ended. You don't have to be a Flamengo fan to recognize an assist like that.

Jardim's backing

Pulgar's extension wasn't a coincidence. Flamengo coach Leonardo Jardim had already made his stance on the Chilean's future clear, and he reaffirmed his confidence after the match against Mirasol:

He has shown hard work. I think the renewal was the right move for both parties and it allows Pulgar to stay with us. He's important to the team's structure because of his quality and character.Leonardo Jardim

Those words confirm what was already clear on the field: the Chilean has become an important piece in the Rio club's setup. With this new deal running through 2029 and performances like the one this weekend, everything points to Pulgar remaining a key figure at Flamengo for a long time to come. Now the question is how long it will take him to recover from that thigh issue so he doesn't miss the upcoming matches on the Brazilian calendar.