Merino: 'A child who dreamed of it and now a man making it a reality'

Mikel Merino, a key midfielder for the victorious Spanish World Cup squad, described the team's triumph as the realization of a lifelong dream. "It was a childhood dream, and now as a man, I'm making it come true," Merino stated, reflecting on the profound personal significance of lifting the trophy. He highlighted the unwavering unity of the group as the cornerstone of their success throughout the tournament, emphasizing that the strong bond within the squad truly made them a 'family'.

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It's crazy what we've all achieved, the whole group and the fans, it's incredible. It's very deserved.

Speaking to Televisión Española after the match, Merino expressed the sheer elation and disbelief of the achievement. "It's crazy what we've all achieved, the whole group and the fans, it's incredible. It's very deserved," he said. The Arsenal player recalled a moment of intense emotion when he celebrated a goal that was later disallowed due to a foul. "I celebrated like crazy, but they told me I committed a foul. These are details that can be costly for one side or the other in the end, but football prevailed in the end, and we won," Merino recounted, underscoring the fine margins in high-stakes matches.

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I celebrated like crazy, but they told me I committed a foul. These are details that can be costly for one side or the other in the end, but football prevailed in the end, and we won.

Merino underscored that Spain's performance was strong from the outset, not just in the final stages. "We've had a great tournament from the beginning. A great tournament, from the whole group," he asserted. The midfielder's reflections paint a picture of a team that not only possessed exceptional talent but also a deep sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, which he believes was instrumental in their World Cup victory. The journey, spanning over fifty days of intense concentration and togetherness, solidified the 'family' atmosphere he described.

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We've had a great tournament from the beginning. A great tournament, from the whole group.