Mikel Merino, the Spain midfielder, has emphasised the importance of being a good human first, ahead of being a good footballer. His perspective comes as Spain prepares for the World Cup final against Argentina in New Jersey. Merino has had a significant year, including the birth of his first child, alongside overcoming an injury that threatened his participation in the World Cup.
Merino, who is 30 years old, admitted that he did not expect to be at the World Cup after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. He underwent surgery at the end of January and spent two months on crutches. Despite the setback, he worked diligently on his recovery, with support from his wife, who was pregnant at the time. He played only 28 minutes between January and the World Cup, leaving his newborn son, Marco, to join the squad. He considers his presence at the tournament a personal victory.
Impact from the Bench
Merino has made a notable impact for Spain from the substitute’s bench during the tournament. He scored a goal in the 119th minute against Germany in Stuttgart, which secured Spain’s place in the semi-finals. Later, he scored a goal against Portugal.
His scoring streak continued in Los Angeles against Belgium, where he scored a goal just over a minute after coming on, having only two touches of the ball. These goals were celebrated in a manner reminiscent of his father, Ángel Miguel, who also scored late goals for Osasuna in the same Stuttgart stadium 33 years prior. Merino expressed pride in following his father’s footsteps and learning from him.
He acknowledges that coming off the bench is not ideal for any player, but he values every opportunity to contribute to the national team. He focuses on the present and believes in his ability to make an impact whenever he steps onto the pitch. Merino hopes that any Spanish player can be the hero in the final, emphasising that the trophy belongs to the entire team, not just the starting eleven.
Team Cohesion and Tactical Approach
Merino highlighted the importance of both ego and humility in football. He noted that players joining the national team, who are typically important at their clubs, must adapt to a new reality within the squad. He credits coach Luis de la Fuente for assembling a team that prioritises being good humans first, which fosters a strong group dynamic.
The team maintains strong bonds, engaging in activities like playing PlayStation, Mario Kart, or chess. Merino, however, prefers long conversations after meals, discussing life, family, and future plans. This collective spirit is deeply rooted in respect and a shared history, with many players, including Merino and Rodri, having played under De la Fuente since junior levels, such as the European Under-19s in 2015.
This long-standing relationship with the coach means that De la Fuente knows each player well, understanding their capabilities and personalities. This familiarity has contributed to the team’s success, including winning a Nations League and a Euros, and now reaching the World Cup final. Spain has lost only once in 37 games, which was on penalties in the Nations League final.
In their 2-0 World Cup semi-final victory over France, Spain demonstrated a tactical approach involving passing triangles that created choices for their attackers and uncertainty for their opponents. This method allowed Spain to control the timing and location of open spaces on the field. For example, Pedro Porro’s 58th-minute goal against France, after exchanging passes with Dani Olmo, shifted defenders’ focus and creating new angles for attack. This strategic use of geometry will be on display in the upcoming final against Argentina at MetLife Stadium.
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Source: theguardian.com
