Flop at Dortmund, Merino chasing goals for Spain | OneFootball

He didn't leave a significant mark in Dortmund. In the 2016/17 season, Mikel Merino (29) played only nine times for BVB. After just one year, the midfielder's time with Borussia already came to an end. Subsequently, the Spaniard's meteoric rise began.

At the age of 19, Merino joined the Black and Yellows. The then sporting director Michael Zorc (now 63) praised the newcomer and called him a "great talent of the Spanish football school." The Bundesliga club equipped the youngster with a contract until 2021.

Photo: Getty Images

But after just one year, Merino moved on loan to Newcastle United. "Mikel did not achieve the playing time he had hoped for in our high-caliber squad in the midfield position," Zorc explained the decision. The Magpies initially paid a loan fee of three million euros, then signed him permanently in the summer of 2018 for seven million euros. However, he was not to play for the English side anymore, as in mid-July 2018, Real Sociedad San Sebastián brought him in for twelve million euros.

With the Basques, the former Dortmund player took off, debuting in the national team in 2020. In August 2024, Merino was valued at 32 million euros by FC Arsenal. At the Gunners, the midfielder established himself as a regular, now boasting 46 appearances for the Londoners with nine goals and five assists.

Regular Player for La Roja

Merino is also almost indispensable in the Spanish national team. His record now stands at 37 international matches. Recently, he once again proved his class. In the World Cup qualification, he significantly contributed to two successes of the Iberians, who lived up to their nickname "La furia roja" (English: "The Red Fury"). A 3-0 victory in Bulgaria on Thursday (September 4) was followed three days later by a spectacular 6-0 thrashing in Turkey.

Merino scored a total of four goals in both matches. Whether with his header against Bulgaria or the hat-trick against Turkey, the brilliant technician was brimming with joy of playing. Once with his right, twice with his left, the former BVB flop showed no mercy to the Turkish defense. He scored his international goals five to eight. If he maintains his form, many more are likely to follow.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.