Mexico’s unofficial World Cup lucky charm could break the 5th game curse

A duck named Merlin has become one of the most unexpected stars of the tournament

Mexico has established itself as one of the most creative countries at this World Cup. Fans have shown their unconditional support for the national team in some of the most iconic ways, filling the streets with energy and turning everyday moments into part of the tournament atmosphere.

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The country's streets have become a showcase for World Cup passion, producing stories that seem hard to believe. One of the most surprising is the story of Merlin the duck.

The most unexpected World Cup mascot

Merlin has become one of the most viral mascots of the tournament. Not only is it unusual to have a pet duck, but he has also gained attention for the way he walks through the streets of Mexico City alongside his owners.

Merlin joined Carla Gómez's family as a gift and quickly became much more than a pet. For her son Cristian, Merlin is his best friend. The duck never leaves their side, joining them every day as they sell soft drinks on the streets while proudly wearing a Mexico national team jersey. The bond between the two is so close that Merlin has become Cristian’s inseparable companion.

The family says they chose the name Merlin because it represents magic, something they believe perfectly describes their pet. The duck brings joy to their daily routine while they work, and he is rarely left at home. Carla, Cristian, and Merlin are almost always together as they go about their day across the city.

A symbol of hope for Mexican fans

Many animals have gone viral during past World Cups, but the two-year-old duck has become Mexico’s unofficial mascot during this tournament. Part of his popularity comes from his ability to play soccer, returning the ball with his beak whenever someone passes it to him.

As his fame continues to grow, many Mexican fans have started calling Merlin the national team's lucky charm. Some even hope his good fortune can help Mexico finally overcome its long-standing fifth-game curse. In this expanded World Cup format, that challenge would now become reaching the sixth match.

Mexico is chasing a place in the quarterfinals, something the national team has not achieved since the 1986 World Cup. Playing as hosts, supporters believe the combination of home-field advantage, passionate crowds, and perhaps a little of Merlin’s magic could help make history.

The support behind Mexico has been enormous, and the players know it. Although the team opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory, many expected a larger winning margin to gain an advantage in a difficult group.

Can Merlin's magic continue?

Mexico entered the tournament expecting to finish first in its group, but nothing has been decided yet. The team remains one of the favorites, though the road ahead is far from easy. As expectations continue to rise, many fans have found an unlikely source of optimism in a duck who has become one of the faces of Mexico’s World Cup journey.

Whether Merlin’s magic is real or not, he has already achieved something special: bringing smiles to fans and becoming a symbol of the hope that Mexico can finally break its World Cup barrier.