Mikel Merino is rapidly emerging as Spain’s most lethal weapon in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, and the numbers don’t lie. The Real Sociedad midfielder has been directly involved in 40% of Spain’s total goals during the campaign, a staggering figure that places him just behind Erling Haaland, who leads with 41% for Norway.
Merino has found the back of the net six times in four World Cup qualifying matches, a record few midfielders can boast. Only Haaland (12 goals) and Memphis Depay (7 goals) have scored more than the Spaniard in the race to the 2026 World Cup.
His goals have come across three key fixtures: a memorable hat-trick against Turkey, a brace at home versus Bulgaria, and another strike in an away fixture. That’s six goals in his last four games for his country, a blistering run of form that has put him ahead of some of Europe’s biggest stars.
In fact, Mikel Merino (6 goals) has outscored the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Viktor Gyökeres, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexander Isak, Robert Lewandowski, Cody Gakpo, and Rasmus Højlund in the 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers.
What makes this feat even more astonishing is that Merino has now scored more goals for Spain (8) than teenage sensation Lamine Yamal (6), a testament to his consistency and attacking intelligence.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente couldn’t hide his admiration when asked about Merino’s impact, even comparing him to two of Spain’s finest midfielders:
“He reads opponents and situations superbly. He is a fantastic footballer, on the same level as Pedri and Rodri.”
After Spain’s latest 4–0 demolition of Bulgaria, Cesc Fàbregas pinpointed Merino’s form as something special:
“Merino’s in that zone right now… confidence, timing, control. Six in four from midfield isn’t luck, it’s intelligence. He’s reading the game two steps ahead, like all top players do when everything clicks.”
And Merino certainly delivered again. Against Bulgaria, he not only scored a brace but also created the most chances (5), won five of seven ground duels, and earned the highest match rating.
From being a solid midfielder to becoming Spain’s surprise goal machine, Mikel Merino’s evolution under De la Fuente has been nothing short of spectacular. If he continues in this vein, Spain might just have found their secret weapon for World Cup glory.
