Merlin - the Duck in Socks and a Mexico Shirt That Stole the World Cup from Jiménez and Quiñones
2 years old, owner Karla, son Cristian, Reforma Avenue and millions of views. El Tri's unofficial lucky charm.
At World Cup 2026, Jiménez and Quiñones scored. Stands cried. But the internet picked a different hero - a two-year-old duck in a mini El Tri shirt and custom socks.
His name is Merlin. He doesn’t live at FIFA HQ - he lives on the streets of Mexico City with Karla Gómez and her son Cristian. The family sells drinks from a cart on weekends - Alameda Central, Palace of Fine Arts, Zócalo. Merlin was a gift to the boy, an “inseparable companion,” Karla says.
After Mexico beat South Africa (2-0, tournament opener June 11), fans flooded Reforma Avenue. Among flags and screams - a duck in national team colours. Phones up. Clips into feeds. Millions of views overnight.
Why it hooked everyone:
- absurd that works: official mascot Zayu the axolotl, but the people chose a bird
- Karla’s honesty: “We respect the axolotl and the jaguar. We don’t like controversy”
- Merlin “predicted” the Korea Republic game - pecked Mexico’s flag between two flags
- fans photograph him at fountains, in Chinatown, beside a ball - Reuters ran a full photo story
AP wrote: “Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez may have scored the goals, but a duck stole the show.”
Karla to cameras: “Mexico, we are with you. And Merlin is your No. 1 fan.”
The perfect host-nation story: not just goals, but a random fluffy supporter proving at a World Cup the star can be anyone. Even someone who quacks.
Next El Tri match - Korea Republic, Guadalajara, June 18. Merlin already picked the winner. The internet did too.