Mexico’s World Cup opener produced the result fans had hoped for. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez found the net, El Tri got off to a winning start against South Africa, and celebrations spilled onto the streets of Mexico City.
Then came Merlin. Dressed in a Mexico jersey and tiny socks, the two-year-old duck was spotted waddling through the capital alongside jubilant supporters. Videos of him calmly taking in the celebrations quickly spread across social media, drawing millions of views and turning him into one of the most unexpected stars of the tournament.
Fans immediately embraced him. “We want to see Merlin in the stadium,” one user wrote. Another dubbed him “a national treasure.” Before long, the duck had earned a title of his own: the unofficial mascot of the World Cup.
The attention may have come as a surprise to the rest of the world, but not to those who know Mexico City’s historic center.
Merlin has been a familiar presence there for years. Every weekend, he accompanies his owner, Carla Gomez, who sells bottled water and soft drinks from a small cart. As she moves through the city’s busy plazas and landmarks, Merlin follows closely behind, drawing smiles and curious glances from tourists and locals alike.
Whether it’s Alameda Central, the Palace of Fine Arts or the Zocalo, people often stop to greet him, take photographs or simply watch him stroll by.
“We don’t like to leave him alone at home. We like him to be with us,” Gomez said. “He’s our baby.”
Merlin originally arrived as a gift for Gomez’s son, Cristian. Over time, he became much more than a pet. Today, he is a constant companion, accompanying the family on their daily routines and weekend outings.
“He’s the baby, the sole heir to all my possessions and now an idol,” Gomez joked.
Even with his local popularity, nothing prepared the family for what happened after Mexico’s opening match. “Merlin had already become famous for selling bottled water,” Gomez said. “But we never imagined he would become such a sensation.”
The viral fame has come quickly. Earlier this week, Gomez and Merlin met FIFA representatives to film promotional content and pose for photographs, a remarkable turn for a duck better known for wandering around central Mexico City.
As Mexico hosts the World Cup for a third time, alongside Canada and the United States, Merlin has become an unlikely symbol of the excitement surrounding the tournament. In a competition filled with football’s biggest names, a duck has managed to carve out a place of his own.
“Mexico, we are with you,” Gomez said. “And Merlin is your No. 1 fan.”
For now, Mexico’s supporters can only hope the team’s fortunes continue to rise. As for Merlin, he has already had his World Cup moment — and judging by the reaction online, fans would not mind seeing a lot more of him.
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