Iker Casillas compares Arsenal’s Mikel Merino to Spain legend David Villa
Former Spain captain Iker Casillas has drawn a parallel between Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino and David Villa, following the Spaniard’s latest decisive goal at the World Cup.
After scoring a winner as a late substitute in the previous match against Portugal, Mikel Merino entered Friday night’s quarter-final clash against Belgium from the bench.
Merino secured another game-changing moment when he capitalized on a fumble by Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens to strike a 2-1 winner.
Data analysts at OptaJoe report that Merino is the first player in the history of the World Cup to score a winning goal in two different knockout stage matches while appearing as a substitute.
Following the victory, Iker Casillas praised Merino by comparing him to David Villa. Casillas shared his thoughts on social media, noting: “Merino reminds me of Villa…”
This comparison aligns with history, as Villa netted two winning goals at the exact same tournament stages during the 2010 World Cup, although he started those matches. Villa scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the last-16 and followed it with another winner against Paraguay in the quarter-finals.
While that was Villa’s final goal of the 2010 tournament, he ultimately led Spain to the title—an outcome Merino would certainly welcome.
Regarding his winning goal against Belgium, Merino joked that he needed to score because his family was not present to witness his decisive strike against Portugal.
“Since they weren’t there for the Round-of-16, I’ve had to repeat it so they can experience it live!” Merino told Mundo Deportivo.
“Honestly, I’m so happy they’re here because they are my source of strength. And, well, I’m sure that part of the luck I had—with the ball falling right to me—came from the good energy they’ve given me.
“I feel privileged to be living through this, and to have my family here with me on top of that.
“I remember having dinner with my parents and aunts and uncles the other day and saying, ‘What I’m experiencing is incredible—having such a beautiful son, being so happy with my wife, having family close by.’ Well, today, that feeling is even stronger.”
