Mikel Merino found himself once again circling the corner flag, a poignant moment that connected him not only with his father, Ángel Miguel, but also with his infant son, Marco. As he celebrated, he embraced the spirit of those who have supported him throughout his journey, including the people of Spain, who would have welcomed him back with open arms. The atmosphere in Pamplona was electric, coinciding with the onset of the San Fermín festival, where the city donned its signature white and red in honor of its patron saint, celebrating their son playing far away in the US.
Born on the day Spain faced England in Euro 96, Merino now donned the same colors as his fellow countrymen. His last-minute goal propelled Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals, marking him as a hero once again and sharing the excitement of the festival with fans across the nation.
In a tense knockout match that felt like a final, the atmosphere was electric, with only a Mexican wave breaking the tension as Merino was fouled just outside the penalty area. Though fatigue hung heavy over the players, Merino was a burst of energy, having been on the field for just six minutes. Seizing the moment, he quickly executed a strategic play that allowed Fabián Ruiz to assist him, and with a clever move, he found himself in scoring position and beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
This latest victory echoed a familiar tale; just 65 seconds remained when Merino had headed Spain into the semi-finals of Euro 2024. This time, he had even less time to spare when he scored the critical goal that secured Spain’s advancement to the World Cup quarter-finals two years later.
Merino’s celebration mirrored his father’s iconic moment from 33 years ago when he scored a last-minute winner for Osasuna. This time, however, he dedicated his achievement not just to his father but also to his two-month-old son, whom he has seen very little since his birth.
In the future, Merino will recount to Marco the stories of both his father and grandfather. At present, he is too young to grasp these tales, and Merino has spent five of his son’s eight weeks away in the US, focused on his footballing mission. Reflecting on his injury, he said, “When they told me about my injury, I thought I would not be at the World Cup, but here I am,” Despite the initial diagnosis of a stress fracture in his foot, which kept him on crutches for two months, he managed to play a mere 28 minutes leading up to the tournament.
Although he traveled to the Champions League final, he did not see any action. By the time he reached Chattanooga, he was still regaining his fitness. Despite feeling isolated and alone, he persevered. When he was called to play against Uruguay, it felt premature, but he rose to the challenge. He credited his wife, Lola, for her unwavering support during this period, noting how remarkable it was to see her, heavily pregnant, helping him navigate the stairs. “It was incredible to see her, seven or eight months pregnant, helping me get up the stairs,” he acknowledged.
During his recovery, Merino often found himself alone, and while he read various books—including Fever Pitch—his main focus remained on rehabilitation. He expressed that the process was enlightening, revealing a strength he hadn’t previously recognized within himself. His coach remained optimistic about Merino’s potential contributions, believing in his importance to the team’s success.
With just six minutes left in the match, his opportunity to shine arrived. Fully alert and ready, he was determined not to let this moment slip away. Just a few months prior, he had struggled to take a single step due to his injury; now, he had propelled Spain closer to their World Cup aspirations. As he was celebrated by his teammates, who rushed towards him in a joyous frenzy, he felt the overwhelming happiness of the moment. They embraced him, shouting in excitement before letting him break away for his celebratory lap.
“It was hard for her but she was so strong.” Merino reflected. “When that happens you remember everything – the good things and the bad things, all the things you have at home,”
He wore the red scarf of San Fermín around his neck, stating, “The injury, not seeing my little one grow: I used that as strength to get the best out of me. This is the product of the hard work my family always inculcated in me. I did my part. For it to happen in the last minute again, I am so happy.”
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