**

Spain's Mikel Merino said in an interview that participating in the FIFA World Cup is a miracle, and that he now must complete his final task, adding that he finds himself in a similar situation to Lautaro Martínez.

"Being here is a miracle," Mikel Merino said. Normally, he should have been a regular starter for Spain, but a hidden stress fracture meant he was on the verge of missing the FIFA World Cup. Coach Luis de la Fuente backed him, and Merino repaid that faith by scoring two crucial goals. He netted just five minutes after coming on in the Round of 16 against Portugal, and scored again 115 seconds after his substitution in the quarterfinals against Belgium, setting a new Spain record.

On January 25 this year, Mikel Merino was playing for Arsenal when he felt severe pain in his right foot. He stopped for tests, but no one initially knew what the problem was. He was eventually diagnosed with a pre-existing stress fracture. He underwent surgery and faced a lengthy recovery. He returned in May, playing just 28 minutes. Those months were filled with pain and fear, and his wife, eight months pregnant, helped him up the stairs because he couldn't put weight on his foot.

"I couldn't miss the World Cup," he said. "Being here is a miracle." So whether he started or not became secondary. "Of course. I'm not just saying this—I truly believe it from the bottom of my heart. We were discussing this just days ago. Being with my family through all of this, overcoming all the difficulties in the first half of 2026, fills me with joy. Now we must finish the job."

Argentina also has its "super-sub" in Lautaro. "For any player, being on the bench isn't the ideal plan, but top players like me and Lautaro face this situation because we're all part of strong national squads. We all need to appreciate this: the quality of our teammates and the importance of the major tournament," Mikel Merino said. "Every time we play, we must do our best to help the team. Even when we don't play, we must do so in training. Because if we win, the honor belongs not just to the starting eleven but to everyone, and that's how things work here."

On the final opponent, Mikel Merino said: "The match will be intense. As a final for the sport's most important trophy, with two teams competing, there will certainly be physical contact and fierce competition. The referee will need to manage the intensity and frequency of fouls. We like to move the ball quickly without stoppages. That way, the opposition won't have much time to foul us."

On Messi, Mikel Merino said: "He's one of the greatest players in history. To see this kind of performance at 39 years old in a World Cup is remarkable. I don't know if this is his last game for Argentina or his last final. It's similar to when we've faced Ronaldo—these players feel timeless, always maintaining very high levels. Facing Argentina, the current World Cup champions, is extra motivation and wonderful."

Looking back, in 2015 he won the U-19 European Championship with Spain's youth team in Katerini, Greece, defeating Russia. The coach at that time was Luis de la Fuente, with teammates Rodri and Unai Simón. Three years ago, after they lost to Scotland together in the senior team, they've now gone 37 matches unbeaten, matching Mancini's Italy team record. "I have much to say. First, time flies—with gray hair, wrinkles, injuries, wins and losses. Second, evolution. In those early matches, I was partnering with Rodri as a double pivot, but now I play more advanced. Third, aside from physical changes and my role, not much has changed. Luis remains the same, maintaining the essence we saw in him when we were young."

"We've had a 46 to 47-day training camp together, spending long periods as a group. Spending that time together and winning helps maintain good form, but our relationship foundation is extremely strong because the coach always wants good, kind people around him. Otherwise, the team will face problems long-term."

On the loss to Scotland, Mikel Merino said: "Back then, some said players of this generation should be done, that it was over… but we won the Nations League, then the Euros, and now we're here again. I started seeing this generation's potential in 2015, and we've grown together gradually." Ten of the 26-man squad worked with de la Fuente in the youth system. "This brings us back to the point: team strength, unity, cohesion. We know each other and feel comfortable together on and off the pitch. That's why I had to come. Whether I start or come off the bench doesn't matter. I think that's clear."

AI翻訳。

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