“It was received by the President of Mexico and approved by FIFA.” The story of a duck that stole the spotlight at the World Cup | sports

In one of the funniest and most humane stories during the 2026 World Cup, Merlin the duck transformed from being just a bird accompanying a simple Mexican family into a mass phenomenon and an unofficial symbol of the tournament, before receiving a special reception from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The Presidential Palace in the capital, Mexico City, witnessed an exceptional event when Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum received the famous duck, who used to appear wearing the green jersey of the Mexican national team, in a scene that received widespread attention inside and outside the country.

During the Mexican President’s usual morning press conference, Merlin caught the attention from the first moment, after she ascended to the podium and sat quietly in front of the photographers and cameras.

The scene seemed different from traditional conferences, as attention turned from the ministers and officials present to the duck, which within a few days became one of the most famous figures associated with the World Cup.

Claudia Sheinbaum approached “Merlin” and caressed her in a friendly atmosphere, before confirming that the government would work to help the duck’s royal family to benefit from the great fame it achieved during the tournament.

She said that the goal is to transform this popular success into a real opportunity to improve the standard of living of the family behind this exceptional story.

From a street vendor to a national success story

Carla Yvette Gomes, owner of “Merlin”, attended the presidential meeting accompanied by her two children, expressing her great happiness at what her story has become in recent weeks.

Carla stressed that her appearance before the President and the international media represents a source of great pride for her and her family, considering that what happened reflects the beautiful face of Mexico and its people.

She explained that the family is currently working on registering the name and image of “Merlin” as an official trademark with the Mexican Institute of Intellectual Property, after the exceptional status that the duck acquired during the tournament.

She also revealed that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) granted Merlin ambassador status for the tournament, in a move that reflects the extent of the public influence she has achieved.

How did the story start?

The story of “Merlin” goes back to an earlier period when a customer gave the Gomes family a duck after their previous duck died.

The family chose to name it “Merlin” in honor of the famous wizard character in the legend of King Arthur, without expecting that this name would later turn into one of the most popular names during the World Cup.

Over time, the duck began to accompany its owner in her daily activities as a street vendor, before beginning her journey towards international fame.

The moment that changed Merlin’s life came during the mass celebrations that followed the Mexican national team’s victory over South Africa with two unanswered goals in the opening match of the tournament on June 11.

During the celebrations on the famous Reforma Street in the capital, the duck appeared wearing a Mexican national team shirt among the celebrating crowds.

The video clips quickly spread on social media platforms, where they received tremendous interaction from audiences who found in “Merlin” a spontaneous symbol that reflects the atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm associated with the World Cup.

From that moment, the duck turned into one of the most prominent public figures in the tournament, and became strongly present in the pictures and videos circulated daily.

Merlin’s story is no longer related to sports alone, but has turned into a model that reflects the power of simple human stories to attract the attention of audiences.

Its owner confirmed that the duck’s sudden fame might help the family improve their living conditions, noting in particular the importance of this support for her eldest son, who suffers from psychological problems and requires special care.

She expressed her hope that it would open new doors for the family after years of work and struggle.

For her part, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that “Merlin” is no longer just a duck that became famous during a football tournament, but rather has become a symbol of the warmth, simplicity and interconnectedness that the Mexican family represents.

She explained that today the world not only watches the results of matches, but also learns about Mexican culture and community values ​​through human stories such as the story of “Merlin.”

She added that this model reflects the true image of Mexico that the country wants to present during its hosting of the world championship.

In a tournament full of big names and international stars, a small duck succeeded in imposing its presence on the entire World Cup scene.

From the crowded streets of the Mexican capital to the podium of the presidential conference, Merlin has traveled an extraordinary and unexpected journey, becoming one of the most popular phenomena at the 2026 World Cup.