Merlin, a two-year-old duck, captured the hearts of millions of Mexicans when he was filmed walking down the street with his owner while wearing Mexico's green national jersey. Now a viral sensation, FIFA has dubbed him the country's ambassador, while the national team shared an image of him flying over the stadium in Guadalajara, where Mexico faced South Korea in its second World Cup match.
Merlin's Rise to Fame
His jersey number is 12, a trademark for his fans. Bakeries sell pastries mimicking Merlin in his green jersey, and TV stations interview him for his World Cup analysis. The duck remains consistent with his predictions: Quack, quack, quack.
Karla Ivette Gomez, a 48-year-old street vendor, told AFP in front of Mexico City's historic Bellas Artes palace, where dozens of journalists surrounded Merlin with microphones and cameras: At no point did we think he would go so viral.
She explained: We were walking down the main thoroughfare in Mexico City, and out of nowhere a girl took a video, and that's when we went viral. In the video, Gomez pushes a juice cart with her son while Merlin tries to keep up, his wings snugly closed inside his shirt.
World Cup fever in Mexico has ranged from Merlin's newfound fame to the statue of Jesus in the Mexico City Cathedral, who also wears the Mexican team's jersey.
Part of the Family
A man cried out when Merlin arrived at the Bellas Artes palace: It's the duck! A dozen people rushed to take photos and videos while trying to pet him. The Gomez family's third duck, Merlin was gifted to them by a client after his predecessor passed away. His name comes from the legendary wizard of medieval mythology.
He's part of the family, said 14-year-old Cristian Gomez, who takes care of him. He's our everything, added his mother, who carries a bag with water and changes of clothes. Every now and then they remove his shirt so he can rest and stretch his wings.
The feathered football fanatic eats fruit, vegetables, crickets, fish, and every now and then a taco, Karla confessed. During his last checkup, the veterinarian said he's overweight, he's fat, she admitted.
His next stop is the fan zone, where thousands of people are gathering under the rain to see the game and Merlin. They're going to name him FIFA's ambassador in Mexico, Gomez said. We're very proud of the mention.
There has long been a World Cup fascination with animals that predict results, going back to Paul the Octopus in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Guadalajara zoo has already done similar exercises with elephants, gorillas, and a puma.
