2026 World Cup: Mikel Merino unlikely hero again as Spain await painful performance

“Michael is incredible,” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said after the quarter-final win.

It has many features. He is a player who can play and perform well in any team throughout the World Cup.

“For us, he’s the epitome of this idea, this model. It’s great to have him and others, but especially him. We know he’s always there, no matter what.”

He could always be there, but Merino himself feared that he would not be fit to play in this World Cup.

“The fact that we were here a few months ago was unthinkable,” Merino said after Portugal’s win.

“Right now, as I said before, I’m at my peak, enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career.

“Now I remember all those bad times, the people who supported me, the people who pushed me when sometimes I couldn’t believe I could be here.”

Merino’s heroics will be a familiar sight for Arsenal fans as the 30-year-old did the same with the Gunners.

The normally tall midfielder has been used in attack by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his first use in this role was when he memorably came off the bench to score twice in a 2-0 win over Leicester in February last year.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney is just one of those players who comes at the right time in big games,” former England striker Wayne Rooney said on Match of the Day.

Dela Fuente added: “Understanding the game, he can be the best striker and the best midfielder. He interprets the game perfectly.”

“He is committed, he is generous, he is happy to do his job.”