Spanish professional football player Mikel Merino Zazón was born on June 22, 1996. He plays midfield for both the Spanish national team and the La Liga team Real Sociedad. Before joining Real Sociedad in 2018, he had brief stints with Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United after starting his career with Osasuna.
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He won the Copa del Rey in 2019–20 with Real Sociedad. Merino competed for Spain in a number of international competitions, including Euro 2024, when he was a member of the victorious squad. He is now an important member of the team and the nation thanks to his outstanding performances.
Mikel Merino’s Early Passion for Football
Mikel Merino has been interested in football since a young age
Mikel Merino’s football career started at an early age, showing promise with the local team Amigó. Scouts from the renowned club Osasuna, located in his hometown of Pamplona, Navarre, were quickly drawn to his remarkable talent. Later, he relocated to Osasuna, where he continued his football education by enrolling in their youth program.
Playing in Spain’s Tercera División, Merino made his senior debut for Osasuna’s B team in the 2013–14 season. Attaining this noteworthy professional milestone facilitated the acquisition of valuable experience and exposure to senior football. His performance at this level demonstrated his versatility and ability as a midfield player, attracting the interest of the club’s upper management.
Merino celebrated the occasion by scoring his first-ever goal as a professional on December 21, 2014. He scored the game-winning goal in an important away 2–1 victory over Las Palmas while playing for Osasuna’s first squad. With this goal, he demonstrated his ability to perform at crucial times and cemented his position as an important member of the team.
Mikel Merino’s father, Ángel Miguel, was also a football player, so the sport runs in the family. Ángel was a professional player who was strongly linked to Osasuna, the same team that Merino began his career with. After finishing his playing career, Ángel became a coach, which had an impact on Merino’s early life, career decisions, and professional football career.
Mikel Merino Parents
His parents are very supportive of his career.
Ángel Miguel Merino Torres is Mikel’s father. He is a retired Spanish football manager and center midfielder. He was born on 2 October 1966. When Mikel’s elder kid was less than a year old, his father took him to the field which Mikel will never forget.
Over nine seasons with Osasuna and Celta, he totaled 293 games and 26 goals in La Liga. In the Segunda División, he totaled 158 games and 16 goals while playing for three different clubs. Merino spent several years at Osasuna in a variety of roles before beginning his career as a manager in 2004.
You might find it interesting to learn that the midfield player took the majority of his initial steps on the field. In actuality, Mikel’s father helped him flourish on the field and again immerse himself in the beautiful game.
Maite Zazon was a former basketball player who played for her native team. Details, however, indicate that she moved away and put her family first when it was time for her to become a mother. She has always kept the house together, starting from the day her first child was born and continuing till the arrival of her subsequent children.
When their mother and father retired, the boys learned to work hard for themselves after giving it their all.
Mikel Merino Love Life
Mikel Merino is married to Lola.
The Spanish celebrity wed Lola Liberal as his spouse. Given that Liberal shared their first photo together in 2019, it is assumed that the couple has been dating since then. But on June 1st, Mikel Merino and Liberal tied the knot, elevating their relationship to a new level. Attending a church wedding, the event was held at Pamplona’s San Nicolás parish.
She is known to be from Navarre, Spain, the same region where Merino is from. In terms of her occupation, the news reports that she blogs. In addition to being featured on a few fashion websites, some discussions assert that she is a model, and indications of this may be found in the pictures she shares on social media.
Having approximately 6466 Instagram followers, she frequently shares her husband’s experiences with her on the platform in addition to sharing her excursions on her own. However, it appears that the journey has reached the halfway point.
Mikel Merino Club Career Journey
Mikel Merino currently plays for Real Sociedad.
In the 2013–14 season, Merino made his senior debut for Osasuna, where he started his career. In December 2014, he scored his first goal as a professional for the group. He committed to a five-year contract with Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund in 2016. Although his stay was brief, it gave him invaluable experience playing in one of the top divisions in Europe.
In July 2017, Merino went out on loan to Newcastle United. He later agreed to a five-year contract after being permanently signed by the Premier League team. Merino has been a vital member of Real Sociedad’s squad since 2018, making over 190 appearances and tallying 20 goals. He won the Copa del Rey in 2019–20 with Real Sociedad.
In addition to his participation in the Spanish national team, where he made his senior debut in 2020 and was a member of the squad that won Euro 2024, his outstanding achievements have also earned him a spot in Real Sociedad’s La Liga club.
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Mikel Merino on the International Stage
Mikel Merino plays for the Spanish team.
In 2018, Merino debuted for Spain on the international stage. Coach Luis Enrique summoned him up, and he participated in a friendly game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has since established himself as a consistent member of the national team lineup. Merino was chosen for the 2024 European Championship and was instrumental in Spain’s triumph.
Along with the national team, he also won the 2023 UEFA Nations League. Merino played for Spain at a number of young levels prior to his senior career, including the Spain U19 (12 appearances, 1 goal), Spain U21 (20 appearances, 4 goals), and the Spain Olympic squad (6 appearances, 1 goal). Due to his skill and adaptability, Mikel Merino is now an essential member of the team and the nation.
Mikel Merino Playing Style
Mikel Merino is a sight to see in the field.
Mikel Merino is a strong asset on the field because of his dynamic playing style, which combines technical skill, tactical awareness, and versatility. Merino contributes both offensively and defensively while covering a lot of ground on the field.
His ability to switch between attack and defense is flawless, which makes him useful in all areas of the game. He can hold onto the ball under duress because of his calmness with it.
Merino can send the ball to teammates with accuracy thanks to his great passing range. He can make fast turns and close ball control to avoid opponents’ pressing.
Merino’s ability to get out of sticky circumstances aids in his team’s possession retention. On defense, he intercepts passes and has good game-reading skills. His accurate tackling effectively thwarts opponents’ attacks.
Mikel Merino Transfer News; What We Know So Far
Mikel Merino is on trending news for his transfer news.
Moving forward is Mikel Merino. Arsenal and Real Sociedad’s midfield player have reached an agreement to sign for a projected cost of about €38.5 million (£32.67 million). A €33.5 million (£28.43 million) down payment and an extra €5 million (£4.24 million) in performance-related add-ons are included in the transaction. Merino, who was instrumental in Spain’s success at Euro 2024, will sign a four-year deal with the possibility of a fifth. The transfer is contingent on Merino passing a physical exam.
Mikel Merino Net Worth
As of 2024, Mikel Merino’s net worth is estimated to be £15,745,600. His profession as a football player serves as his primary source of income. The sponsorship deals with Mikel Merino have not received much media attention.
Professional football players frequently have sponsorship deals with different companies, though. Sportswear businesses, lifestyle brands, and other business alliances are examples of these endorsements. In addition, he might get paid to take part in promotions or make cameos, much like other players.
