Arsenal and Spain star Merino admits ‘being here was unthinkable’ after scoring late winner against Portugal | OneFootball

Mikel Merino says his difficult battle to recover from injury in time for the World Cup was all worth it after his late winner against Portugal.

The Arsenal midfielder came off the bench to score the only goal of the game in second-half stoppage time as Spain progressed to the quarter-finals.

Merino missed four months of action for Arsenal earlier this season because of a foot injury before returning in the final game of the Premier League campaign.

And the midfielder says his late winner for his country was a reward for all the difficult moments he has had.

“It was such a huge relief,” Merino reflected after his later winner. “Just a few months ago, being here was unthinkable (because of injury), and now here I am, as I said before, at the very top, enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career.

“And well, now I remember all those tough times, all the people who were supporting me, all the people who kept pushing me on even when I’d lost faith in myself. Sometimes I found it hard to believe I could be here, and well, every day of hard work, every moment of doubt, has been worth it. Now it all makes sense.”