{"id":1748,"date":"2026-06-25T12:37:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T12:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=1748"},"modified":"2026-06-25T12:37:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T12:37:59","slug":"how-a-duck-named-merlin-became-the-face-of-team-mexico-during-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=1748","title":{"rendered":"How a duck named Merlin became the face of Team Mexico during the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While the World Cup has brought the biggest names in soccer back into the international spotlight, one particular feathered fan is drawing just as many headlines.<\/p>\n

Read more Oil tanker passes the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran threats, as traffic flows begin to recover<\/a><\/p>\n

Merlin, a 2-year-old duck, has taken the internet by storm, captivating fans with his tiny form-fitting Team Mexico jersey and confident waddle around his home of Mexico City.<\/p>\n

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The duck \u2014 who skyrocketed to internet fame in early June after he was seen reveling in the festivities following Mexico\u2019s first victory in the tournament \u2014 has since become a proud symbol of the team, overshadowing FIFA\u2019s official Mexico mascot, Zayu the Jaguar.<\/p>\n

Merlin\u2019s newfound celebrity status has taken him to new heights, landing him a visit with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. As Team Mexico\u2019s third match of the tournament is slated for June 24, Merlin fever is likely to spread.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could have never imagined the magnitude of where my baby would get to,\u201d owner Karla Gomez told NBC News. \u201cTo me, he is my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Did Merlin Become Famous?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Merlin, who has long been a fixture on the streets of Mexico City, first got a taste of fame after Team Mexico\u2019s 2-0 victory against South Africa, the opening match of the World Cup, on June 11. Wearing not only the Mexico jersey, but also a pair of tiny socks, Merlin was captured on video, waddling around the bustling Reforma Avenue as fans celebrated the win.<\/p>\n

Social media users, charmed by his Team Mexico spirit, began sharing memes across the internet, often pairing them with the phrase \u201cViva El Pato,\u201d which translates to \u201cLong Live The Duck!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Some businesses have even capitalized on the Merlin craze, with one store all the way in Canada modeling their jerseys on a row of display ducks.<\/p>\n

Read more Senate Republicans reject Iran war powers resolution after clashing with Trump at Capitol meeting<\/a><\/p>\n

Who Are Merlin\u2019s Owners?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Gomez, Merlin\u2019s owner, is a street beverage vendor in Mexico City. She previously told Reuters that the day Merlin went viral was like any other day for the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought we were \u200bpassing by unnoticed, because obviously we never thought Merlin would \u200chave that boom,\u201d she told the outlet.<\/p>\n

The duck was initially given to Gomez as a gift by a customer two years ago, she said. The family decided to name the feathered friend Merlin after the mythical wizard because \u201csince Merlin came into our lives, there have been many awesome changes in our world,\u201d she told NBC News.<\/p>\n

Merlin isn\u2019t just a pet. He\u2019s also an integral part of the family business, \u201cinspecting\u201d their work and even assuming the unofficial title of \u201cboss,\u201d according to the Agence France-Presse.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Merlin, who\u2019s named after the mythical wizard, lives off a diet of fruit, veggies, crickets and fish, his owner told the AFP. Every so often, Gomez told the outlet, Merlin gets a celebratory taco too.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s part of the family,\u201d Gomez\u2019s 14-year-old son Cristian Gomez told the AFP.<\/p>\n

What Has Merlin Been up to Since He First Went Viral?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It seems everyone wants a piece of Merlin these days. Shortly after he climbed to superstardom, Merlin was named an official ambassador for his hometown of Mexico City, a host city for the Cup. He\u2019s appeared on television programs and even joined Sheinbaum at her morning press conference on June 22.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday we brought the family that has Merlin the duck as their pet, because he has been a symbol of the World Cup, a symbol of \u200bwhat Mexican families \u200bstand for, of \u2060who we are as Mexican families, and that is above all else; it is what the world is seeing from \u200bMexico today,\u201d Sheinbaum said during the conference, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n

Read more Out from his father\u2019s shadow, Tim Weah is making a name for himself on the U.S. national team<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While the World Cup has brought the biggest names in soccer back into the international spotlight, one particular feathered fan is drawing just as many headlines<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-cup"],"yoast_head":"\nHow a duck named Merlin became the face of Team Mexico during the World Cup - Trusted Moving Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/trustedmovinggroups.com\/?p=1748\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How a duck named Merlin became the face of Team Mexico during the World Cup - 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