Mikel Merino, the Spain midfielder, has spoken about his philosophy of prioritising being a good human before a good footballer. His comments come as Spain prepares to face Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey.
Merino reflected on a significant year, calling it “spectacular” and acknowledging the challenges he has overcome. This period has included winning a Premier League title, reaching a Champions League final, the birth of his first child, and now participating in a World Cup final. He also faced an injury that threatened his involvement in the tournament.
The 30-year-old midfielder admitted that a stress fracture in his foot initially made him doubt his participation in the World Cup. He underwent surgery at the end of January, which provided clarity on his condition. He spent two months on crutches before beginning an intensive recovery process. Merino played only 28 minutes between January and the World Cup, leaving his newborn son, Marco, to join the squad.
“Just being here is a victory for me,” Merino stated, expressing his joy and appreciation for his current situation given where he was months prior. He highlighted the strength shown by his wife during his recovery, noting her support while she was pregnant.
Impact from the Bench
Merino has made a notable impact for Spain during the tournament, often coming on as a substitute. He scored a goal in the 119th minute against Germany in Stuttgart during Euro 2024, which secured Spain’s place in the semi-finals. In the current World Cup, he scored a 91st-minute goal against Portugal, advancing Spain to the quarter-finals.
His third crucial goal came against Belgium in Los Angeles, where he scored the winner after being on the pitch for less than two minutes. All three goals were celebrated by circling the corner flag, a tribute to his father, Ángel Miguel, who performed a similar celebration for Osasuna 33 years earlier in the same Stuttgart stadium.
Despite his success from the bench, Merino acknowledged that it is not an ideal scenario for any player. However, he values every opportunity to contribute to the national team, focusing on the present and believing in his ability to make an impact. He expressed hope that any Spanish player could be the hero in the final, emphasising that the trophy belongs to the entire team.
Team Cohesion and Tactical Approach
Merino credits the team’s strong group dynamic and the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente for their success. He noted that De la Fuente has fostered an environment where players are encouraged to be good humans first, which strengthens their bond during extended periods together. Many members of the current squad have played under De la Fuente at junior levels, including Merino and Rodri, who were part of the European Under-19s winning team in 2015.
This long-standing relationship means the coach understands each player’s capabilities, and the players have experienced both successes and challenges with him. This mutual trust contributes to the team’s resilience, as demonstrated by their record of only one loss in 37 games since De la Fuente’s early tenure, which was on penalties in the Nations League final. They have since won a Nations League and a Euros.
In their 2-0 World Cup semi-final victory over France, Spain showcased a tactical approach involving passing triangles. This strategy created choices for Spain and uncertainty for their opponents, as players appeared at different angles to receive the ball. This geometric approach allowed Spain to control when and where space would emerge on the pitch.
The effectiveness of these triangles lies in their ability to force defenders to commit to specific routes, opening up other passing lanes or spaces. This method is not about static shapes but about the speed with which Spain reconfigures these links, changing the problem faster than opponents can solve it. Argentina will likely be studying these tactics as they prepare for the final match in MetLife Stadium.
The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is scheduled for Sunday in New Jersey.
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Source: theguardian.com
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”