Merlín the Duck
.jpg) | |
| Other name | Merlin the Duck |
|---|---|
| Species | Anas platyrhynchos domesticus |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | c. 2024 (c. 1–2) |
| Owner | Familia Gómez |
Pato Merlín, also known as Merlín the Duck (c. 2024), is a duck in Mexico that became a pop-culture celebrity during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[1]
Although it became a viral phenomenon, its notoriety raised concerns of animal abuse, due to its objectification and the result of a Nemo effect by other people who acquired a similar bird in order to replicate its status of fame, without understanding its care or needs.[2][3][4]
History
[edit]Karla and Cristián Gómez own a soft drink and water stand in Mexico City.[5][6] On 8 March 2024, a customer visited the stall carrying a small duck,[7] which was given to Cristián.[6][7] The Duck was named Merlín after the famous wizard.[8]
The duck began regularly accompanying the family and mother, Karla Gómez, to the drink stand.[9] In mid-June 2026 the duck was spotted wearing a Mexico national football team jersey, following the Mexican team's victory over South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[10]
The image went viral, even overshadowing the official World Cup mascots such as Zayu the Mexican jaguar.[10] Its fame grew to such an extent that FIFA representatives met with its owner for an advertisement photo shoot.[11] Merlín even had an audience with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum.[12] The latter meeting drew harsh criticism and social rejection for both the animal's caretakers and the president. Initially, Karla, the duck's owner, stated she would not attend, requesting instead that the space be given to groups of searching mothers, a promise she did not keep. Sheinbaum, in turn, was criticized for the invitation due to its questionable relevance, which detracted from the time and importance of truly pressing national issues.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Duck off: World Cup hero Merlín barred from Mexico game due to Fifa's animal ban". The Guardian. 2026-06-25. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ "El pato Merlín y la delgada línea entre la ternura de internet y el maltrato animal". Periódico Zócalo (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-06-24. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "El pato Merlín y los intereses de los animales". SinEmbargo (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Efecto Nemo por el Pato Merlín: Especialistas alertan sobre comprar animalitos por moda". Siete24 (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-06-29. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ BATSCHKE, NAYARA (June 15, 2026). "Meet Merlin the duck, a Mexico City streetside regular turned World Cup mascot". ABC News. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- 1 2 "Merlin, the World Cup duck, may be the Mexican team's biggest fan". Mexico News Daily. 2026-06-16. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- 1 2 Jiménez, Elia Castillo (2026-06-24). ""Merlín tiene una misión y la está cumpliendo": una tarde en la vida del pato que conquistó el Mundial". El País México (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ "Duck, duck, goal: bird dressed in Mexico's World Cup jersey scores on social media". The Guardian. 2026-06-15. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ Cardoso, Javier; Gálvez, Javier (2026-06-14). "Rocking a Mexico kit, Merlin the 'World Cup Duck' conquers social media". AS USA. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- 1 2 "How a Duck Named Merlin Became the Face of Team Mexico During the World Cup". TODAY.com. 2026-06-24. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ "Meet Merlin, The Viral Duck Wearing A Soccer Jersey And Custom Socks At 2026 World Cup". Yahoo Life. 2026-06-24. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ Hogan, Michael (2026-06-25). "Half-time report! It's the 11 best TV moments of the World Cup so far". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
- ↑ "Sheinbaum Responde a Críticas por Recibir a Pato Merlín". N+ (in Mexican Spanish). 2026-06-23. Retrieved 2026-06-27.