Biography
Who is Mikel Merino?
Early career and roots
Born in Pamplona, Spain, Mikel Merino began his youth career with a local club called Amigó before joining Osasuna. He made his professional debut for the Osasuna reserve team during the 2013–14 season while playing in the Tercera División.
By August 2014, he moved up to the first team and made his initial competitive appearance in a victory against Barcelona B. He scored his first professional goal later that year in a game against Las Palmas. In early 2015, the club promoted him to the main squad where he wore the number 8 jersey and helped them avoid relegation. During the 2015–16 campaign, he scored four goals in 34 matches to help Osasuna reach the promotion play-offs.
European club experience
In 2016, Mikel signed a five-year contract with the German club Borussia Dortmund. He later spent time on loan at the English club Newcastle United, where he made 25 competitive appearances and scored a header against Crystal Palace.
He returned to Spain in 2018 to join Real Sociedad for a reported fee of €12 million. During his time at Real Sociedad, he became a regular starter and captained the team. He played a key role in their 2020 Copa del Rey final victory against Athletic Bilbao, where he was named the player of the match. In the 2023–24 season, he recorded the highest number of possession duels won among players in Europe’s top leagues.
Move to Arsenal
Mikel joined Arsenal in August 2024 on a four-year contract for a reported fee of £31.6 million. His start at the club was delayed by a shoulder injury sustained during his first training session. He eventually made his debut in October 2024 during a Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
He scored his first league goal for Arsenal against Liverpool. Throughout his first season, he played in various roles, including centre-forward. He scored twice in a victory against Leicester City and contributed to a win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. In the 2025–26 season, he helped Arsenal win the Premier League title.
International success
Mikel played for the Spain under-19 team that won the 2015 UEFA European Championship. He made his senior debut for Spain in 2020. He was part of the squad that won the Euro 2024 tournament, where he scored a decisive header against Germany in the quarter-finals.
This goal mirrored a play his father had performed for Osasuna in 1991. He also won the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain. In the 2026 tournament, he scored the winning goal in stoppage time against Portugal and another crucial goal against Belgium. He has also scored an international hat-trick, achieving this milestone against Turkey during World Cup qualifiers in 2025.
Personal life and style
Mikel is a left-footed midfielder known for his physicality and intelligence on the field. He has played as a centre-back, defensive midfielder, and attacking midfielder throughout his career. In April 2017, he survived the bombing of the Borussia Dortmund team bus.
He married model Lola Liberal in Pamplona in June 2024. His father, Ángel Miguel Merino Torres, was also a professional footballer who played for and managed Osasuna.
Birthday and age
Mikel Merino was born on June 22, 1996, which makes Mikel 30 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Mikel shares the date with 55 other famous people.
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