Mikel Merino Zazón is a Spanish footballer born on June 22, 1996, in Pamplona. He is 30 years old, plays for Arsenal, and can occupy practically any position in midfield.
The Navarrese has acquired a particularly valuable role for Luis de la Fuente due to his ability to intervene at different moments in the match. He can act as a central midfielder, interior, attacking midfielder, or even forward when Spain needs more presence in the area.
What team does Mikel Merino play for
Mikel Merino plays for Arsenal and wears the number 23. The English club signed him on August 27, 2024, from Real Sociedad, where he had completed six seasons.
The midfielder has also had spells during his career at Osasuna, Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle. His experience in Spain, Germany, and England has allowed him to develop a physical and tactical profile that is unusual among Spanish midfielders.
At Arsenal, he has even played as a forward due to the team's injuries. This adaptation has accelerated an evolution that has also been reflected with Spain: Merino retains his work in midfield but appears increasingly frequently in scoring positions.
How many goals has Mikel Merino scored in the 2026 World Cup
Mikel Merino has scored two goals in the 2026 World Cup before the final against Argentina. Both came during the knockout stages and were decisive for Spain's qualification.
The first was against Portugal in the round of 16. Merino came off the bench and scored in the 91st minute the only goal of the match, after receiving a pass from Ferran Torres and beating goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
He appeared again in the quarter-finals against Belgium. He came onto the field in the 86th minute and scored just two minutes later the decisive 2-1, which qualified Spain to face France in the semi-finals.
How many matches has Mikel Merino played with Spain
Mikel Merino reached 50 matches with the Spanish national team during the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup against France. He came on in the second half, replacing Dani Olmo, in the match that confirmed Spain's passage to the final.
His debut with the senior national team occurred on September 3, 2020, against Germany, in the Nations League. Before the World Cup final, he has scored 12 goals with Spain.
Luis de la Fuente knows Merino since the lower categories. Both have shared nearly 60 matches in the different national teams since they coincided in the under-19 selection.
The goal of Mikel Merino against Germany in the Eurocup
One of the most remembered moments of Mikel Merino's career came in the quarter-finals of the Eurocup 2024 against Germany.
The midfielder scored with a header in the 119th minute of extra time and gave Spain the victory by 2-1. The goal eliminated the host team and qualified Luis de la Fuente's team for the semifinals.
Merino celebrated the goal by surrounding the corner flag. He repeated a gesture that his father had made years earlier in the same stadium in Stuttgart.
Who is Mikel Merino's father
Mikel Merino's father is Ángel Miguel Merino, a former professional footballer who played for teams like Osasuna, Celta de Vigo, Las Palmas, Leganés, Burgos, and Ceuta.
Merino's celebration around the corner flag is a family tribute. His father had celebrated in that way a goal scored with Osasuna in Stuttgart during a UEFA Cup match.
That gesture went viral again after the goal that eliminated Germany in the Eurocup and has accompanied some of his subsequent goals with Spain.
What titles has Mikel Merino won with Spain
Mikel Merino won the under-19 European Championship in 2015 and the under-21 European Championship in 2019. He also won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
With the senior national team, he conquered the Nations League in 2023 and the Eurocup in 2024. In all those teams, he coincided with Luis de la Fuente, first in the lower categories and then in the senior team.
How Mikel Merino plays
Merino is a left-footed midfielder with a great ability to compete for loose balls, protect possession, and arrive in the area from the second line.
His height, physical strength, and reading of plays make him a threat in lateral crosses and set-piece actions. He can also receive with his back to goal, hold off center-backs, and open spaces for other attackers.
Luis de la Fuente has defined him as a complete and versatile footballer who can play as a 6, 8, 10, and 9. The coach has also highlighted his ability to interpret what each match needs.
Can Mikel Merino play the final against Argentina
Mikel Merino is part of the Spanish national team that has reached the final of the 2026 World Cup. The publication of the official eleven will determine if he starts the match as a starter or returns to take on a decisive role from the bench.
His performance during the qualifiers makes him one of Luis de la Fuente's main alternatives. His two goals in the tournament came after entering during the second half, against Portugal and Belgium.
META DESCRIPTION: Who is Mikel Merino: age, team, career, goals, and titles of the Spanish midfielder before the final of the 2026 World Cup.
IMAGEN SUGERIDA: Mikel Merino surrounding the corner flag after one of his goals in the 2026 World Cup. The alternative is a celebration with Spain in which the player can be clearly identified.