Pulgar out of the Chilean national team due to personal reasons and hurt feelings over criticism.
Midfielder Erick Pulgar, a key piece in Flamengo‘s tactical setup, will not represent the Chilean national team in the upcoming friendlies. The player’s decision to sit out the matches against Canada, the United States, and Mexico during the next FIFA window caught many by surprise.
Details revealed by the president of the National Association of Professional Football of Chile (ANFP), Pablo Milad, shed light on the reasons behind this move.
Personal Motivations
According to Milad, Pulgar‘s absence is not a technical issue, but rather a reflection of emotional distress. The official detailed a conversation with the athlete, who expressed deep resentment over the criticism he has faced throughout his career with the national team.
Pablo Milad stated:
I spoke with him personally. He was quite hurt by the press, by the public, and by the impact on his family caused by the fact that he hadn’t performed as expected. He was also very sensitive to the way he and his family had been treated.
The ANFP president emphasized that he respects the player’s choice, assuring that Pulgar‘s commitment to wearing the Chilean jersey has never been in question.
Social Media Statement
Recently, Erick Pulgar himself took to social media to speak out. In a statement, the midfielder made it a point to clarify that there is no rift with head coach Nicolás Córdova.
Pulgar emphasized that his focus is on his performance on the pitch, distancing himself from the influence of external praise or criticism. The player also took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the new generation of Chilean talent, calling for support and visibility for these young athletes.
Focus on Flamengo
While his relationship with the Chilean national team goes through a delicate moment, Erick Pulgar is dedicating his energy to Flamengo. The Rio de Janeiro club is preparing for a crucial clash this Thursday (17) against Independiente del Valle (ECU) at the Maracanã.
The match is part of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, a stage where Pulgar has stood out and proven his value, far from the controversies surrounding him in his country’s national team.
The fans hope the player maintains his high level of performance, solidifying his importance to the team in the pursuit of major titles.
