Mikel Merino will enter the World Cup final against Argentina as Spain’s talismanic substitute, a remarkable turnaround for an Arsenal midfielder who feared his tournament was over before it began. The 30-year-old has emerged as Luis de la Fuente’s decisive weapon from the bench, scoring late winners against Portugal and Belgium to propel La Roja into Sunday’s showpiece.
From crutches to corner flag
Merino’s route to the final looked impossible just months ago. A stress fracture in his foot required surgery at the end of January, leaving him on crutches for two months and sidelining him for almost the entire club season. He played just 28 minutes of football between the operation and joining Spain’s squad.
The recovery demanded intense physical and mental resilience. Merino revealed that his wife, who was pregnant at the time, provided crucial support despite the challenging dynamic of her assisting him while expecting their child. He flew to the tournament shortly after the birth of his son, Marco, leaving the newborn behind to chase a dream he once thought was lost.
“Just being here is a victory for me,” Merino said. “When they told me about my injury I didn’t think I would be at the World Cup.”
The supersub instinct
Merino has perfected the art of the late impact. In the quarter-finals against Portugal, he struck in the 91st minute to break the deadlock. Four days later against Belgium in Los Angeles, he needed just two touches after coming on in the 85th minute to score the winner in the 87th minute, his wife and son watching in the stands this time.
These contributions follow his dramatic header in the 119th minute against Germany at Euro 2024 in Stuttgart, a goal that sent Spain toward continental glory. Merino approaches his role with methodical preparation rather than frustration, studying the game from the bench to maximise his brief opportunities.
“Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine this,” he admitted. “Coming from the bench isn’t the ideal plan for any player, but when you join a national team that’s as strong as I and Lautaro have, you value every opportunity.”
A father’s footsteps
Merino’s celebrations have drawn comparisons with his father, Ángel Miguel, who scored late goals for Osasuna and circled the corner flag in the same Stuttgart stadium 33 years ago. Merino has replicated that run after each decisive strike, a tribute to the family legacy that helped shape his mentality.
When asked whether winning the World Cup would finally establish him as the superior player, Merino laughed: “My mum won’t buy that one, not even with a World Cup.”
De la Fuente’s faith in waiting for Merino’s recovery has been vindicated. As Spain seek to emulate the 2010 World Cup-winning side, Merino embodies the squad’s blend of humility and hunger. “In the final, I hope anyone [Spanish] is the hero,” he said. “The trophy belongs to all of you, not just the 11 on the pitch.”