Mikel Merino speeds up recovery and reignites World Cup hopes

The story of Mikel Merino has taken a dramatic turn in just a few weeks. What once looked like a serious threat to his World Cup participation has now become a wave of optimism. The Arsenal midfielder is responding exceptionally well after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot, and there are growing signs he could be ready for the tournament.

The Spanish international’s recovery is exceeding medical expectations. Back in mid-April, uncertainty surrounded his condition, but now those doubts are beginning to fade. Merino has already ditched the protective boot and is performing exercises without pain, a crucial milestone in this type of injury.

Arteta believes Merino can beat all expectations

The main voice behind this optimism has been Mikel Arteta, who has shown full confidence in the player. The Arsenal manager did not hold back when discussing Merino’s recovery:

“If there is someone capable of shortening the timeline, it’s Mikel,” he stated.

Arteta explained that the midfielder has reacted extremely well to surgery and is already working at an advanced stage in his rehabilitation. This kind of progress is uncommon for such injuries, reinforcing the idea that Merino’s case is special.

While an immediate return is not expected, May now appears as a realistic window for his comeback. Inside the club, there is even hope he could feature before the end of the season—something that would completely change the outlook ahead of the World Cup.

Luis de la Fuente won’t give up on him: a key piece for Spain

Meanwhile, within the Spanish national team, the message is clear: they are willing to wait for Mikel Merino until the very end. Head coach Luis de la Fuente has remained in constant contact with the player, fully aware of his importance.

And for good reason. The numbers back it up: Merino is the second top scorer in De la Fuente’s tenure, only behind Mikel Oyarzabal. But his impact goes far beyond statistics.

Even if he is not at full fitness from the start, the plan could involve having him ready for the decisive knockout stages.

From uncertainty to dream: Merino now sees his first World Cup

Just a few months ago, the situation looked very different. After missing out on the Qatar World Cup, the 2026 tournament represented a golden opportunity for Mikel Merino. However, the injury raised serious doubts and threatened that dream.

Spain’s debut is set for June 15, and that date no longer feels like an impossible race against time. On the contrary, confidence is growing that he will be ready.

Even his presence in recent national team campaigns and promotional activities highlights his importance within the project.

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