Mikel Merino's extraordinary journey has been one for the ages – a Premier League title, a Champions League final appearance, a first child, and now a World Cup final spot. The Arsenal midfielder's remarkable year has come full circle as he prepares to face Argentina in the biggest match of his life.
Speaking from Spain's New Jersey training base, Merino revealed the team's approach to this momentous occasion is anything but high-octane drama – instead, they aim to treat it like 'just another game'. Gone are the indulgent treats of yesteryear; modern nutritionists have put paid to hot chocolate and croissants. This year has been 'spectacular' for Merino, a phrase that could be used to describe his team's entire campaign.
It's been far from smooth sailing for Merino, though – a stress fracture in January threatened his World Cup participation. Undergoing surgery, he spent two gruelling months on crutches, crediting his pregnant wife for helping him navigate this dark period. Miraculously, he's recovered to rejoin the squad and leave behind his newborn son, Marco.
His impact has been nothing short of phenomenal – dubbed a 'supersub', Merino's late goals have been the difference-maker in Spain's campaign. He's scored crucial winners against Germany, Portugal, and Belgium, often finding the net shortly after coming off the bench. These match-winning contributions have propelled Spain to the final.
Merino attributes their success to coach Luis de la Fuente's squad-building ethos – a team built on mutual respect and strong human values. This approach has fostered an environment where players are 'good humans first, then good footballers'. Now, as they gather for one last powwow before facing Argentina, Merino and his teammates will be hoping to cap off their remarkable year with the ultimate prize in football.