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Spain’s Merino Reveals His #1 Rule: Be a Good Human Before a Footballer
Spain’s Road to the World Cup Final: The Mikel Merino Story (Explained Simply)
The Old Hot Chocolate Tradition (and Why It’s Gone)
Imagine it’s the night before the biggest soccer game of your life. In 2010, the Spain team that won the World Cup ate chocolate croissants and drank hot chocolate together in a hotel. Fast forward 16 years, and the new Spain team will meet before the final too — but no chocolate this time.
Important Point: Some rituals are not repeated. Spain’s nutritionists (food experts) put a stop to the sweet treats!
Mikel Merino, a Spain player, said: “I think the nutritionists killed that one for us!” They used to copy the seniors’ chocolate habit in the youth teams, but now everyone has their own routine. The big idea is to normalise the final: treat it like just another game they’ve played since age five.
Mikel Merino’s Year and Big Injury
Merino calls this year “spectacular.” He got to:
- Win a Premier League title
- Reach a Champions League final
- Become a dad for the first time
- Reach a World Cup final
But there was a scary moment: a foot injury (a stress fracture — a tiny crack from overuse). At first, doctors couldn’t easily explain it. He said, “When they told me about my injury I didn’t think I would be at the World Cup.”
How He Came Back
- Coach Luis de la Fuente told him he’d wait for him.
- Merino had surgery at the end of January (a relief — at least they knew what to do).
- He spent two months on crutches.
- He trained very hard, sometimes alone, sometimes helped by his pregnant wife (who he says showed huge strength).
- He played only 28 minutes between January and the World Cup.
- He flew to the tournament leaving his newborn son Marco behind.
Important Point: “Just being here is a victory for me,” Merino says. From thinking he’d miss it to playing in the final is a big win.
Merino: The Super Sub (Bench Hero)
Like a teammate on the other side, Lautaro Martínez, Merino often starts the game sitting on the bench — but he saves the day.
His late winning goals:
- Euro 2024: Scored in the 119th minute vs Germany to reach semis.
- World Cup vs Portugal: Scored in the 91st minute to reach quarters (his family wasn’t there).
- World Cup vs Belgium: Came on at 85:32, scored at 87:27 with only two touches! His family was there this time.
He celebrates by circling the corner flag like his dad did 33 years earlier in the same stadium.
Important Point: Even with a World Cup, Merino jokes his mum won’t say he’s better than his dad!
What It’s Like on the Bench
Merino says coming from the bench isn’t ideal, but on a strong team you value every chance. He:
- Studies the game instead of sulking
- Believes he can impact every time he plays
- Says the trophy belongs to all the team, not just starters
He also says players need ego (self-belief) and humility (modesty). The team feels like a real family, especially in hard times.
Team Bonding (No Chocolate Needed)
Without hot chocolate, how do they relax?
- Some play PlayStation or Mario Kart
- Dani Olmo and Unai Simón battle on the bus
- Merino likes long talks after meals (sobremesa) about life, kids, and holidays
He laughs: after 46–47 days together, they’re still close — but nobody wants two more months!
Deep Roots with the Coach
Coach Luis de la Fuente won a youth title with some of these players in 2015. Back then, Merino, Rodri, and others were kids. Ten current players worked with him as juniors.
Merino says:
- The coach knows each player deeply
- Players don’t need to “prove” anything new
- The group will “give our lives” for the coach
After a loss in Scotland early in De la Fuente’s time, they still believed. Since then: Spain lost once in 37 games (on penalties). They won a Nations League, a Euros, and now a World Cup final.
The Final: Spain vs Argentina
The final is Spain vs Argentina. There’s a famous photo of Messi (age 39, still amazing) and young Lamine Yamal. Merino first thought the photo was fake!
He says:
- Messi is incredible at 39
- The game will be intense but fair (referees help)
- Spain must move the ball fast to reduce fouls
- They’ll play like it’s just another day
Merino remembers watching the 2010 champions as a kid. Now he’s the one kids watch — “something magical.”
Summary
Spain’s 2026 World Cup final run is built on a close team, a trusted coach, and heroes like Mikel Merino who beat injury and came off the bench to score late winners. They dropped old chocolate rituals for healthy habits, but kept the family feeling. Now they face Argentina and Messi, ready to enjoy the game like kids on a playground.
FAQ
Q: Why don’t Spain players eat chocolate before the final anymore?
A: Team nutritionists (food experts) stopped the tradition for health reasons. Players now have personal routines instead.
Q: How bad was Mikel Merino’s injury?
A: He had a stress fracture in his foot, needed surgery in January, used crutches for two months, and played only 28 minutes before the World Cup. He almost missed it.
Q: What is a “super sub”?
A: A player who starts on the bench but comes on to score important late goals — like Merino did three times for Spain.
Q: Why is the coach so important to this team?
A: Luis de la Fuente coached many players as kids, so he knows them well and they trust him completely.
Q: What makes Spain’s team strong?
A: Deep friendship, humility, shared history, and belief — they call themselves a real family.
