Mikel Merino: “I think I’m ready for the World Cup”

Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino assured this Thursday that he is “prepared” to play with the Spanish team in the World Cup, which takes place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, after returning to training with Arsenal FC and leaving his bone injury behind.

“I have not made any plans. The only thing that was in my head and in my heart since I was injured was to fight as hard as possible to be prepared for the World Cup. I think I am and I hope those plans are to help the national team,” said the midfielder in statements to Movistar+ collected by Europa Press.

Merino suffered a bone injury in his right foot at the end of January for which he had to undergo surgery, forcing him to be out for almost four months – he has missed 25 games with Arsenal – and his presence in coach Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the World Cup was in question.

Now, the Navarrese midfielder is already one more in the training of the team coached by Mikel Arteta, which was proclaimed Premier champion this Tuesday for the first time in 22 years, and is aiming for the Champions League final, next Saturday, May 30 (9:00 p.m.) at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest (Hungary) and the World Cup event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.