The relationship with his father, his wife and what his celebration means

He scored one of the decisive goals of the Eurocup 2024. Mikel Merino Zazón (Pamplona, ​​1996) achieved the classification of Spain for the semifinals of the European championship in the last minute of the extension in front of the host, Germany.

After his transfer to London, Merino was one of the protagonists of the quarterfinal match of the Champions League between him Arsenal and Real Madridscoring the third goal that left Mikel Arteta’s in a very favorable situation for the second leg.

Mikel Merino has become one of the relevations of the Premier League. The player arrived at Arsenal in August 2024, after closing his transfer of the Royal Society by 33.5 million euroswhich made him the most expensive player sold by the Donostiarra team in his history.

Since the beginning of the year, Merino has noted 8 goals (7 with Arsenal and 1 with the Spanish team). In fact, in less than a month, he has scored four goals with his new position of Center fronta request of his coach, Mikel Arteta.

“If I tell you the truth, the first thing I thought was ‘is what touches’. The first thing is the team and help with the role that touches me. The first thought is a bit ‘what madness’ because I have never played center forward and my characteristics are not those of a Champions striker, but I immediately put my batteries, I learned what I had to do with and without a ball”He explained in an interview with Movistar+.

The relationship with his father and the meaning of his celebration

Merino, who arrived at the Real Sociedad After having already played in Osasuna, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle, he carries the passion for football in his DNA. And it is that the player is son of Miguel Merino Torreswho was also a footballer in the 80s and 90s of teams such as Osasuna, Celta de Vigo, Ud Las Palmas and CD Leganés.

His father, coach after hanging his boots, is a reference for Mikel, both professional and personal. «Thanks to you for how you have taken care of me throughout my life, for everything you have raised. You are a reference for me not only for football and everything I have learned, but for How are you like a father»Mikel said in a congratulatory video for Father’s Day in ‘The Uncheck’.

Precisely to his father, Mikel wanted to pay tribute to the goal he classified to Spain for the semifinal of the Eurocup in Stuttgart. And is that, 33 years earlier, he had scored a goal in the same stadium Giving away a curious image in the celebration, when he went around the corner flag, the same one that Mikel repeated against Germany.

A gesture that was not the first time that the Arsenal player did. «He makes the celebration always going around the flag Out of respect and dedicating my goals a bit Because I made that same celebration when I played and he usually does it, ”said his father in statements to ‘relay’ after the quarterfinals.

However, the passion for sport comes twice. And is that Mikel’s mother, Maite Zazónhe has dedicated himself professionally to basketball. In addition, their two brothers, Jon and Unai Merino, also compete in basketball and football, respectively.

Your partner and hobbies

Mikel is very reserved regarding his personal life and the publications he makes about his current partner, Liberal Lolawith whom a relationship began in mid -2019. The young woman, a model by profession, is very active in networks, where she has more than 9,000 followers and usually shares different moments of her life.

Mikel and Lola They married in Pamplona On June 1 of last year, which delayed the incorporation of the player to the concentration of the red. “Thank you for making me the best gift in the world and for making me the happiest woman every day,” she wrote on Mikel’s 28th birthday.

Football has focused the life of Mikel, who studied a degree of sports technician. «I do not want to put aside the studies since tomorrow you do not know what can happen and, in addition, in the future I would like Study INEF or physiotherapysomething related to sport, ”he said in an interview with ‘News Navarra’ in 2015.

In addition to sport, among Mikel’s hobbies you find time with your friends and family, Music or cinema. “If I can like to go the same day of the premiere and, if you can, then destroy it to my friends who have not seen it,” he joked.