Mikel Merino

Osasuna

Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Merino began his career with Amigó, later moving to Osasuna. He made his senior debut with the reserves in the 2013–14 season, in the Tercera División. On 23 August 2014, Merino made his first competitive appearance with the first team, starting in a 2–0 home win against Barcelona B in the Segunda División. He scored his first professional goal on 21 December, the winner in a 2–1 away victory over Las Palmas. Merino was promoted to the main squad on 31 January 2015, being given the number 8 jersey. He was a regular starter in his first year, helping them to narrowly avoid relegation. In the 2015–16 campaign, Merino scored four goals from 34 appearances as Osasuna finished sixth and reached the promotion play-offs. In that stage's first round, he netted a brace in a 3–1 home win against Gimnàstic de Tarragona, and added another goal in the second leg (3–2 victory).

Borussia Dortmund

On 15 February 2016, Merino signed a five-year deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, which was made effective on 1 July. His first league appearance occurred on 14 October, when he played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against Hertha BSC.

Newcastle United

In July 2017, Merino joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan; the Premier League side agreed to a clause obligating them to sign the player permanently, based on a number of appearances. On 13 October, this was invoked, and he agreed to a five-year…

Merino was part of the Spain under-19 team which won the 2015 UEFA European Championship in Greece. He scored their first goal of the tournament, opening a 3–0 win over holders Germany at the AEL FC Arena in Larissa. On 20 August 2020, Merino received his first call up to the senior side, for the initial two matches of the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League against Germany and Ukraine. He earned his first cap against the former on 3 September by replacing Sergio Busquets early into the second half of a 1–1 draw. He scored his first goal on 12 September 2023, the second in an eventual 6–0 rout of Cyprus in a qualifier for UEFA Euro 2024 held in Granada. Merino was included in the squad for the Euro 2024 finals. In the quarter-final against Germany in Stuttgart, he scored a header from a cross by Dani Olmo in the 119th minute to secure his nation a spot in the semi-finals with a 2–1 win; his celebration after the goal (running around the corner flag) mirrored that of his father after he had done the same for Osasuna in a UEFA Cup fixture at the same stadium in 1991. He also featured in Spain's win in the final where they defeated England 2–1, achieving a continental record of four European championships, and in the process became one of 12 players who won both youth and senior Euro titles, alongside his teammates Nacho, Ferran Torres, Álvaro Morata and Rodri. On 7 September 2025, Merino scored his first international hat-trick, in a 6–0 away victory over Turkey in the 2026 FIFA World…

Merino is a versatile left-footed midfielder who has played in several positions throughout his career, including centre-back during his time at Borussia Dortmund, defensive midfielder at Newcastle United and Real Sociedad and primarily as a box-to-box number eight. He has also featured as an attacking midfielder, being later deployed as a makeshift striker for Arsenal and Spain. Known for his physicality, passing range, intelligence and ability to arrive late in the box, Merino combines defensive aggression with progressive passing and creative play. He is particularly effective at breaking lines with through balls, winning aerial duels and supporting attacks through well-timed forward runs.

Merino's father, Ángel Miguel, was also a footballer. His career was also associated with Osasuna, as both a player and manager. On 1 June 2024, Merino married model Lola Liberal in Pamplona.