Spanish midfielder Merino said in an interview that reaching the FIFA World Cup felt like a miracle, and now he must complete the final step, noting that he shares a similar situation with Argentina's Lautaro Martínez.

"It's a miracle I'm here," Merino said. Normally, he should have been Spain's starting midfielder, but a stress fracture nearly cost him a World Cup appearance. Coach Luis de la Fuente waited for his recovery, and Merino repaid that faith with two crucial goals—scoring just five minutes after coming on against Portugal in the round of 16, and 115 seconds after entering as a substitute against Belgium in the quarter-finals, setting a new Spanish national team record.

On January 25, 2026, while playing for Arsenal, Merino suffered severe pain in his right foot. Initial examinations were inconclusive, but he was eventually diagnosed with a stress fracture. After surgery, he faced a long recovery. He didn't return until May, playing only 28 minutes. During those difficult months, his wife—eight months pregnant—had to help him up the stairs because he couldn't bear weight on his foot.

"There's no way I was going to miss the World Cup," he said. "It's a miracle I'm here." As a result, whether he starts has become secondary. "Of course. I'm not just saying that; I mean it sincerely. I was discussing this just days ago. To experience all of this is incredible, and to share it with my family—who stood by me through the difficulties of the first half of 2026—fills me with joy. Now I have to finish the job."

Argentina also has their 'super sub' in Lautaro Martínez. "For any player, sitting on the bench isn't ideal, but top players like Lautaro and I find ourselves in this position because we're on strong national teams. We must cherish that: the quality of our teammates and the importance of major tournaments," Merino said. "Every time we play, we give our best to help the team, and even if we don't play, we do so in training. Because if we win the championship, the honor belongs to everyone—not just the starting eleven—and that's how we operate here."

On the final opponent, Merino said: "The match will be intense. As a final between two teams competing for sport's most prestigious trophy, there will certainly be physical challenges and fierce competition. The referee will need to manage the intensity and frequency of fouls. We like to move the ball quickly and cleanly, and if we do that, our opponent won't have much opportunity to foul."

Regarding Messi, Merino said: "He's one of the greatest players in history. To perform at this level at 39 in the World Cup deserves respect. I don't know if this will be his final national team match or last final, because just as when we faced Cristiano Ronaldo, you sense that these players are timeless, maintaining an extraordinarily high standard. Facing Argentina, the defending World Cup champions—that alone is extra motivation. It's fantastic."

Reflecting on his journey, in 2015, Merino won the U-19 European Championship with Spain in Katerini, Greece, defeating Russia under coach Luis de la Fuente, alongside teammates Rodri and Unai Simón. Three years later, they lost to Scotland together at senior level, but have since compiled 37 matches unbeaten, equaling Roberto Mancini's Italian team record. "There's much to reflect on. First, time passes quickly—gray hairs, wrinkles, injuries, victories, defeats. Second is evolution: I played as a double pivot with Rodri in those early matches, but now I play a more advanced role. Third, apart from physical changes and my position, we haven't transformed much. Luis remains the same; he's maintained the essence we saw in him when we were young."

"We've trained together for 46 to 47 days—a long time, much time together. Extended periods together and winning help maintain morale, but the foundation is strong interpersonal relationships, because the coach always wants good, kind people around him. Otherwise, the team will face problems long-term."

On the loss to Scotland, Merino said: "Some people said that generation should be eliminated, that we were finished. But we won the Nations League, then the Euros, and now we're here again. I saw the potential in this team starting in 2015, and we've grown slowly together." Ten of the 26-man squad have worked with de la Fuente in youth teams. "Again, it returns to this: team strength, cohesion, and unity. We know each other and are comfortable together, both on and off the pitch. So I had to come. Whether I start or come off the bench doesn't matter—I think that's already very clear."

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