Spanish midfielder Merino said in an interview that it was a miracle that he was even able to participate in the World Cup, and now he has to finish his work. He also said that he was in a similar situation to Lautaro Martinez.
“It’s a miracle I got here,” Merino said. Normally, he would have been a starter for Spain, but a hidden fracture almost cost him the World Cup. De la Fuente had been waiting for him, and he repaid that trust with two crucial goals – scoring just five minutes after coming on as a substitute against Portugal in the round of 16, and setting a Spanish national team record by scoring just 115 seconds after coming on as a substitute in the quarter-final against Belgium.
On January 25th of this year, Merino played for Arsenal, but suffered excruciating pain in his right foot. He stopped to get checked, but no one knew what the problem was. It was eventually discovered to be a stress fracture, which had been present for some time. He underwent surgery, and then waited—a long wait. He didn't return until May, playing only 28 minutes. Those months were filled with pain and fear; his wife, eight months pregnant, helped him up the stairs because he couldn't put weight on his feet.
“I will not miss the World Cup no matter what,” he said. “It’s a miracle that I’m even here.” Therefore, whether he starts or not is secondary. “Of course. I’m not just saying this offhand, but from the bottom of my heart. I was talking about this just a few days ago. It’s incredible to have gone through all this, to be with my family—who have been with me through all the difficulties of the first half of 2026—fills me with joy. Now I have to get the final work done.”
Argentina also has its 'super sub', Lautaro Martinez. "Being on the bench isn't ideal for any player, but top players like Lautaro and I face this situation because we're both in strong national teams. We both cherish this: the level of our teammates and the weight of the tournament," Merino said. "Every time we're on the field, we try our best to help the team, and even if we don't play, we do it in training. Because if we win the championship, the honor belongs to everyone, not just the starting eleven, and that's how we do it here."
Speaking about their opponent in the final, Merino said, "The match will be intense. As a final, with two teams vying for the most important trophy in our sport, there will certainly be physical contact and fierce competition. The referee needs to control the intensity and frequency of the tackles. We like to keep the ball moving quickly and without stopping, and if we do that, the opponent won't have much time to foul."
Regarding Messi, Merino said: "He is one of the best players in history. To perform like this at the World Cup at 39 years old is truly admirable. I don't know if this is his last game or his last final for his national team, because just like when we faced Ronaldo before, you feel that these players are timeless, they have always maintained an extremely high level. Facing the defending World Cup champions Argentina is an extra motivation in itself, it's fantastic."
Looking back, in 2015 he helped Spain's U19 team defeat Russia in Caterini, Greece to win the European Under-19 Championship, under coach Luis de la Fuente, with teammates including Rodri and Unai Simon. Three years ago, they lost to Scotland together in the senior national team, and since then, they have gone 37 games unbeaten, equaling Mancini's record for Italy. "There's a lot to say. First, time has passed, with gray hair, wrinkles, injuries, and wins and losses. Second, evolution: in those two games, I partnered with Rodri in the double pivot, but now I'm positioned further forward. Third, apart from physical changes and my role, we haven't changed much. Luis (de la Fuente) is still the same; he retains the essence we saw in him when we were young."
“We trained for 46 to 47 days, a long time, and spent a lot of time together. Spending so much time together and winning games helps maintain good form, but the foundation of interpersonal relationships is very solid because the coach always wants to be surrounded by good and kind people. Otherwise, the team will have problems in the long run.”
Speaking about Scotland's defeat, Merino said, "Some people said this generation of players was finished, that we were done... But we won the Nations League, then the European Championship, and now we're here. I started seeing the potential of this team in 2015, and we've grown together." Ten of the 26 players in the squad had worked with De la Fuente in the youth team. "It comes back to this: the power of the team, cohesion, and unity. We understand each other, we're comfortable together, on and off the pitch. That's why I had to come. Starting or coming off the bench doesn't matter, I think that's clear."
