Mikel Merino could be the surprising hero of the World Cup final.

Mikel Merino may not be a starter in the World Cup final against Argentina, but he is on his way to becoming Spain’s unexpected hero. With just 148 minutes played in this tournament and two decisive goals scored, the Arsenal midfielder has shown impressive effectiveness whenever he steps onto the pitch, establishing himself as a secret weapon for his national team.

The 30-year-old player, who joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad as a hardworking midfielder, has transformed into a surprisingly effective offensive option off the bench. At the Gunners, Merino has already scored 15 goals in less than half the matches he played for Real Sociedad, and his progress with the Spanish national team is even more notable: ten of his 12 goals have come in the last 19 international appearances, following a quieter start to his career, with just two goals in his first 31 matches.

This edition of the World Cup has been particularly revealing for Merino. The midfielder scored two decisive goals in the closing moments after coming on as a substitute, becoming the first player to achieve such a feat in knockout stages in 60 years. Additionally, he is the only member of Luis de la Fuente’s team with so few minutes played and a conversion rate of 50%, with two goals from four shots and one goal every 3.5 touches in the opponent’s area.

Merino almost did not participate in the World Cup due to an injury that kept him out for most of the second half of the season with Arsenal. He himself admitted to the British press the importance of valuing every opportunity: “Coming off the bench is not ideal for any player, but when you are in such a strong team as ours, you value every opportunity and try to help the team when you come on or even when you don’t. I have complete confidence in my abilities and every time I step on the pitch, I think I can make a difference. In the final, I hope that any one of us can be the hero. The trophy belongs to everyone, not just the 11 on the field.”

Although he was a player who took time to break through, Merino has recently accumulated important titles, winning Euro 2024 and the Premier League with Arsenal. Now, the World Cup final represents the perfect opportunity to add the most coveted trophy in football and cement his place in history. If he can repeat his decisive role, he could not only become the hero of the final but also enter the conversation for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The final between Spain and Argentina is scheduled for tomorrow, and Merino’s impact could be the unexpected element that decides the fate of the World Cup title. With stars like Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal on the field, the stage is set for this “super-sub” to shine and write one of the most memorable chapters of the competition.