Midfielder Mikel Merino’s journey suffered a significant setback on 25 January when a stress fracture in his right foot brought his season to a standstill, putting his participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup™ in doubt.
“The operation is complete! I’m one step closer to returning,” the athlete shared on his social media days after the procedure, signaling the beginning of his intense recovery to achieve ideal physical conditioning for the world tournament.
Merino overcame the challenges, returned to the pitch wearing the Arsenal shirt in May and earned a call-up to the Spanish team, led by Luis de la Fuente, for the World Cup to be held in North America between June 11 and July 19. The player, who is already a Euro 2024 champion, spoke to FIFA about his expectations for the next tournament.
Mikel Merino’s view of the FIFA World Cup
When asked what the FIFA World Cup represents, Mikel Merino described the image of a dreamy child, fascinated by television, watching football legends on the field. Although he has already won the European Championship and the Premier League, as well as playing in the Champions League, the midfielder emphasizes that “there are always bigger things” and that there is nothing more meaningful than representing your country on football’s biggest stage.
Expectations for his world cup debut at age 30
Regarding his first participation in a World Cup, which coincides with his 30th birthday, Merino predicted a “strange feeling”. He explained that, on the one hand, there is the nervousness and excitement of fulfilling a childhood dream. On the other hand, the maturity acquired at the age of 30 offers a calmer perspective, treating the event as “just a football game” to fully enjoy. He hopes to find balance between these feelings.
Recovery from injury and the fear of missing your big chance
The player confessed that the news of the injury and the long recovery time raised doubts about his presence in the World Cup. At 30 years old, with accumulated experience, and aware that he would be 34 in the next tournament, Merino felt that missing this opportunity would be “very difficult”. He described the five to six month recovery period as complicated and required a lot of work, but now he celebrates the “light at the end of the tunnel”, excited to join the group and have the chance to fulfill a childhood dream.
Merino’s gratitude after overcoming adversity
Without hesitation, Merino stated that he values the opportunity much more after the “difficult journey”. He considered that certain things in life and in football are only truly appreciated after the imminent loss of them. The fear of the reaction of his foot and of being left out of the World Cup made him value every small advance and every experience. Smelling the grass and returning to training with his teammates has become a source of great gratitude, a lesson that follows him every time he takes the field.
Spain as favorite: from the European Championship to the World Cup
Merino acknowledged that Spain were not seen as favorites at the last UEFA Euro Cup, nor were they a feared opponent. However, due to the achievements and subsequent performance, the perception has changed, and the team is now considered a “real title contender”. He cautioned that while this new vision deserves confidence, the team should not be complacent or overconfident. The player emphasized that, at its best, the Spanish team has the ability to defeat any opponent.
Fury’s preparation for the world tournament
The Spanish team, according to Merino, is “very well prepared”, combining youth, energy and the ambition to win titles. In addition to being European and Nations League champions, the team has players who come from the youth teams and the Under-21s, who are already familiar with the coaching staff. He highlighted the daily routine, communication, good relationships and the “family atmosphere” in the locker room as crucial elements for success, recognizing, however, the need for “small details to work” under pressure.
The influence of Luis de la Fuente and the unity of the group
Merino emphasized that, despite high-level individual talent, Spain’s greatest strength lies in the “collective”, the “family” that the group has become, playing as a team and offering mutual support in times of difficulty. He praised Luis de la Fuente, whom he has known since youth football, for his ability to select “good people” who prioritize the team above individual interests, creating a strong sense of unity. The player concluded that this cohesion provides tranquility, visible in daily interactions, such as card games and video games.
