Merlin The Duck Is FIFA's Official Ambassador, And His Vet Says He's Overweight!
Alright, Emerald City, listen up! You thought you'd seen peak fandom, right? The 12s, the whole nine yards? Well, hold onto your Sounders scarves because there's a two-year-old duck in Mexico City, named Merlin, who has just absolutely blown up the World Cup scene! FIFA themselves have dubbed him the country's "ambassador," making him a legit global phenomenon. Mexico is going absolutely wild for him.
From Street Stroll to Global Icon
Can you believe it? Merlin, a two-year-old duck, was just chilling, walking down the street with his owner, rocking Mexico's green national jersey. Someone filmed it, and BOOM! Viral sensation! Karla Ivette Gomez, Merlin's 48-year-old street vendor owner, told AFP they never saw this coming. "We were walking down and out of nowhere a girl takes a video, and that's when we went viral," she explained. Just like that, this little guy, wings snugly closed, became a national hero. The Mexican team even shared an image of him flying over the stadium in Guadalajara before their game, wearing his famous number 12 jersey. Number 12, you guys! That's a serious nod to the fans, like our own 12s at Lumen Field! Bakeries sell pastries shaped like Merlin, and TV stations interview him for "World Cup analysis." His predictions? Consistently "Quack, quack, quack." What more do you need? This is pure, unadulterated sports magic.
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A Duck's Jam-Packed Schedule and Family Love
This duck's calendar is jam-packed, busier than any NFL quarterback. Merlin meets journalists early, has a full morning at Mexico's biggest TV station, then his agenda goes late to hang with thousands at the World Cup "Fan Fest" in Mexico City. He’s the Gomez family's third duck, a gift from a client. Fourteen-year-old Cristian Gomez says, "He's part of the family." His mom, Karla, agrees, "He's our everything," even carrying a bag with water and changes of clothes. They take his shirt off so he can rest and stretch. Our feathered football fanatic eats fruit, vegetables, crickets, fish, and "every now and then a taco." Listen, living that superstar life is tough, and it shows! During his last checkup, the vet delivered the news: "he's overweight, he's fat," she admits. Oh, Merlin! You gotta watch those tacos, buddy, you're the face of a nation! People literally crying out "It's the duck!" when he arrives, rushing for photos and to pet him. This animal obsession for game predictions goes way back, like Paul the Octopus from the 2010 World Cup. Even the Guadalajara zoo tries with elephants, gorillas, and a puma, but Merlin? He's on another level.
What’s next for our boy Merlin? His next stop is the fan zone, where thousands are braving the rain to see the game and, more importantly, him. Karla says, "They're going to name him FIFA's ambassador in Mexico," adding they are "very proud of the mention." Honestly, this duck has captured hearts globally, reminding us all of that raw, unfiltered passion we feel for our teams, whether it's the Mariners at T-Mobile Park or the Kraken battling at Climate Pledge Arena. Let's hope he stays healthy, keeps those "Quack, quack, quack" predictions flowing, and maybe gets a salad instead of a taco sometimes! Go, Merlin, go!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.