MIKEL Merino’s journey from Osasuna’s youth academy to a key player for Spain and Real Sociedad has been nothing short of inspiring.

His story takes a turn with a heartfelt tribute to his father during a dramatic moment at Euro 2024: discover how this personal connection shaped his remarkable career.

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Who is Mikel Merino?

Mikel Merino Zazón is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Real Sociedad in La Liga and the Spain national team.

Mikel started his football career at Amigó before joining Osasuna’s youth academy.

In August 2014 he made his debut for Osasuna’s first team and in December of that year he scored his first professional goal.

In the following seasons he became a key player for Osasuna, helping the club reach the promotion play-offs in 2016.

In February 2016, Mikel signed for Borussia Dortmund, but his impact was limited and he struggled to establish a regular starting position.

In July 2017, he was sent on loan to Newcastle United, a deal that became permanent later that year.

During his time at Newcastle he played 25 games and scored one goal.

Mikel left for Real Sociedad in July 2018.

He played a key role in the team’s midfield and captained the team on several occasions.

Mikel represented Spain at various youth levels, winning the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2015 and the Under-21 Championship in 2019.

He made his first-team debut in September 2020 and played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, including a decisive goal in the quarter-final against Germany.

Spain won the tournament, extending its record for European Championships.

Mikel is set to sign a four-year contract with Arsenal worth over £33million.

Arsenal have completed the deal with Real Sociedad.

Why does Mikel Merino run around the corner flag after scoring?

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Mikel Merino’s corner flag celebration after Spain’s goal against Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 was a moving tribute to his father, Ángel Miguel Merino Torres.

He copied his father’s iconic celebration dance from 1991, when Ángel made the same gesture at the Stuttgart Arena while playing for Osasuna.

The re-enactment of this celebration, in the same stadium and under similar circumstances, linked a memorable moment from Ángel’s career with Mikel’s achievements and added a deeply personal touch to his dramatic late winner.

In an interview afterwards he said: “There is something about this stadium.

“I will remember this forever. And besides, it happened here.

“A cycle is closing and that makes me happy. I played my first match for Spain in this stadium and my father scored here.”

His father told Cope, a Spanish radio station, about the moment: “We have spoken about this subject because he is determined to leave me behind.

“He’s done a lot more than I have, but this was all I had left and he’s determined to leave me behind again.

“He hadn’t told me, but we talked about that coincidence.

“I didn’t care at all and we had a laugh after the game.

“He said to me: ‘Another goal in Stuttgart, just like you’.

“I am super proud of his behavior and the minutes he played.

“I was emotional, it was special. I had tears in my eyes.

“It was such an important moment… they were in a daze and their arrows were pointing up.”