Mikel Merino says Spain’s values come first in title bid

Mikel Merino has described Spain’s World Cup campaign as built on something more than tactics and results, saying the team’s first principle under Luis de la Fuente is respect and personal conduct as much as footballing ability.

The Arsenal midfielder, speaking to The Guardian Football from New Jersey during Spain’s final preparations, said the message around the squad has been clear: being a good person comes before being a good player. In his view, that approach has helped shape a group that is ready for the biggest match of its tournament, the World Cup final against Argentina.

For Merino, the tournament has carried an added layer of significance. He said he had feared he might not even reach the World Cup because of a stress fracture in his foot. That makes his presence in the squad and his role in the build-up all the more notable. Merino said he is now experiencing the occasion with a strong sense of gratitude, reflecting the relief of having made it to the final stage of the competition.

Spain’s team culture under Luis de la Fuente

Merino’s comments point to a broader identity around this Spain squad. Rather than focusing only on technical quality or matchday routines, he described a team that has been taught to value respect, character and collective behaviour. That is significant in a World Cup setting, where pressure often pushes attention toward fine margins on the pitch, but team culture can still shape how players handle the most demanding moments.

The Spain midfielder linked that culture directly to the work of Luis de la Fuente. According to Merino, the coach has created an environment that puts human values first. That message is one reason Spain have reached the final with a clear sense of purpose, even as they prepare to face a highly experienced Argentina side.

The report from The Guardian also notes that Spain’s final build-up includes a team gathering the night before the biggest match. The source contrasts this with the group of Spain players who won the 2010 World Cup, but Merino’s focus remained on the present team and the habits that have brought them this far.

A final shaped by recovery and perspective

Merino’s route to the final adds context to Spain’s run. A stress fracture is not a minor setback in elite football, and his concern that he might miss the tournament underscores how fragile a World Cup journey can be. His ability to be involved at this stage gives Spain another experienced midfield option and offers a reminder that major tournaments are often defined as much by recovery and resilience as by talent.

The final against Argentina now gives Spain a chance to close the tournament with a major title, while Merino’s remarks suggest the squad is approaching the occasion with discipline and unity. His reflections also show how players increasingly frame success in terms beyond the scoreline, especially when a long route back from injury has shaped the experience.

Spain’s focus now turns fully to the final. For Merino, and for the team around him, the message is as much about how they represent themselves as it is about how they play.