Mikel Merino Blocked Messi With His Face and Won the World Cup: His Teammate’s Reaction Tells You Everything

Mikel Merino secured a World Cup winner’s medal for Spain on Sunday, a victory earned so hard he took a Lionel Messi shot right to the face, and guess what? His Arsenal teammate David Raya wasted no time laying down some serious internet shade. Talk about a hero’s welcome, right?

World Cup Heroics and a Messi-Sized Shiner

Merino was absolutely crucial for Spain’s run, netting winning goals in both the World Cup round-of-16 and the quarter-finals. Then, in the final against Argentina, he subbed in and immediately started causing problems for the opposition. He almost even scored the winner himself, with a header that just went wide while the goalkeeper was totally stranded. But the real legend moment? When Messi unleashed a shot, Merino stepped up and blocked it with his face. Yep, his face. Spain went on to win the whole thing 1-0. You know that pain had to be real, because during the on-pitch celebrations, his right eye was already starting to swell up. What a warrior!

Teammate Trolls the Champ

By the time Merino hit the dressing room, he had a full-blown black eye. Naturally, he hit up Instagram, sharing a pic of himself holding a cold drink to his face, trying to get some relief. But David Raya, his Arsenal and Spain teammate, showed ZERO mercy. Raya slid into the comments with the perfect reply: a picture of Spongebob Squarepants sporting a black eye. Classic teammate move, right? You win the biggest trophy in the world, and your buddy immediately clowns you. That’s friendship goals right there.

Now, Spain gets to celebrate their massive World Cup triumph. Merino, Raya, and fellow Arsenal player Martin Zubimendi will finally get to take a well-deserved summer holiday, at least three weeks off. Merino’s black eye should totally be gone by the time Arsenal calls him back to action. But honestly? I’m hoping he rocks an eye patch for Spain’s parade photos. That would be legendary.

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