Spain enjoyed a perfect international break this week, securing a 2–0 win over Georgia before cruising to a dominant 4–0 victory against Bulgaria. While several players impressed, one name stood out above the rest — Mikel Merino.
The Arsenal midfielder delivered a commanding performance against Bulgaria, scoring two outstanding goals, winning a late penalty converted by Mikel Oyarzabal, and earning a perfect 10/10 rating from multiple Spanish media outlets. It was the kind of display that not only influences a game but reshapes a player’s reputation on the international stage.
And Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente was in no mood to downplay it.
“He is an exceptionally complete player with great adaptability. There are few players as versatile as him, and it is a privilege to have him with us,” De la Fuente said after the match, via Metro.
“He reads opponents and situations superbly. He is a fantastic footballer, on the same level as Pedri, Oyarzabal, Rodri… we have an outstanding squad.”
To be publicly grouped alongside Pedri and Rodri — two of Spain’s most celebrated midfielders — is high praise. But based on his form in 2025, it is difficult to argue otherwise.
A Misunderstood Midfielder Rewriting His Role
In England, Merino has often been loosely categorised as a defensive midfielder — a label that never truly reflected his skill set. That perception intensified earlier in the season when Arsenal faced Manchester City in a 1–1 Premier League draw, with some pundits claiming Mikel Arteta had taken a cautious approach by selecting him.
The numbers since then have completely dismantled that argument.
15 goals for club and country in 2025 Third-highest scorer in World Cup qualifying this year — behind only Erling Haaland and Memphis Depay Deployed as a striker by Arteta on occasion — and still delivered
Merino is not just thriving in advanced areas — he is redefining what it means to be a modern midfielder. He presses like a disruptor, carries the ball like a box-to-box runner, and finishes like a forward. That blend of intelligence, energy, and execution is precisely what makes Luis de la Fuente’s comparison so credible.
Spain’s Midfield for the Future
Spain have long been known for producing technically gifted midfielders, but what Merino brings is a more dynamic interpretation of the role. He combines possession intelligence, positional versatility, and goalscoring threat — elements that very few midfielders at the elite level can offer simultaneously.
Whether operating alongside Pedri, rotating with Oyarzabal, or complementing Rodri in deeper structures, Merino has shown he can adapt to any system while maintaining his impact.
If his club form continues to mirror his international performances, his name will not just belong in conversations alongside Spain’s biggest stars — it will belong at the forefront.
Luis de la Fuente’s statement may have sounded bold at first, but Mikel Merino’s performances have provided all the validation required. Once mislabelled as a defensive midfielder, he is now proving himself to be one of the most complete and decisive midfielders in Europe.
Spain clearly recognise it. Arsenal will benefit from it. And soon, the wider football world might have to accept it too.
