Viral duck in Mexico soccer jersey joins victory celebrations

Amidst the jubilant celebrations following Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa, a unique fan captured the attention of many: a duck named Merlín, sporting a Mexican national team jersey. Videos of Merlín navigating the crowds at the Ángel de la Independencia in Mexico City went viral, showcasing the city's festive spirit despite the rain.

The duck, a familiar sight in the city's central areas, belongs to a family of street vendors who sell bottled water. Merlín accompanies its owners daily during their work, becoming a beloved local character. Its appearance in the national team's green jersey, paired with black socks, resonated with fans and quickly spread across social media platforms.

The widespread appeal of Merlín's appearance was further amplified when the official FIFA World Cup 2026 account shared a video of the duck, captioning it "A duck in a Mexico jersey." Foreign visitors have affectionately nicknamed the duck the "World Cup duck," adding to its charm. Merlín has previously been seen near Bellas Artes, sometimes changing its attire to match festivities, embodying the enthusiastic "mexa" spirit.