Merlin the – After Mexico’s opener against South Africa sparked street celebrations in Mexico City, a duck in a Mexican jersey—identified as Merlin—tugged at public hearts online. The national team and major brands have embraced the moment, but growing calls are pushing au
For many fans, the World Cup didn’t start with a kickoff. In Mexico City, after Mexico’s inaugural match against South Africa, the streets filled with people celebrating el Tri’s victory on national soil—and among the crowds, a duck in a Mexican jersey was caught on camera.
The clip spread quickly online, turning a spontaneous street moment into a full-blown symbol. “Honestly, it’s better than the official mascot jajajaja half-court goal from the Mexicans,” one user wrote on X.
“How this street duck became Mexico’s unofficial World Cup mascot” wasn’t a question for most people by then. The duck was already the story—captured as it tugged at attention, then framed as something bigger than the match itself.
Merlin is a domesticated duck. His owner, Karla Gomez, takes him around while she works as a street vendor selling water and sodas. “We don’t like leaving him alone at work, we like for him to be here with us,” Gomez told AP. “He is a baby, the only heir of my belongings, and now, an icon.”
As Merlin’s images multiplied, the national team adopted him as an unofficial mascot. “From the stands. from home or from wherever you are. your support is unconditional and Merlin knows it. ” the Mexican National Team posted on its official X account. The post included a seemingly AI-generated image of Merlin flying toward the Guadalajara stadium.
That momentum moved beyond social media chatter. Mexican brands were quick to fold Merlin into their own posts.
Aeromexico. Mexico’s largest airline. posted on X: “Tonight all us Aeromexicans choose to believe that ‘this is the one. ’” alongside an image of a plane above a city with a bat-signal-like light aimed at the duck’s silhouette. Volaris also shared an image of Merlin wearing a jersey and featuring its logo. IHOP posted another AI-generated photo of Merlin next to food from the chain.
But the celebration has come with backlash. Many users on social media have argued that brands and the national team should give something back to Merlin’s owners for using his image.
“No doubt the Merlin Duck is the SENSATION of the World Cup and has become the unofficial mascot of the tournament. not just in Mexico but worldwide. ” one X user wrote. They added. “I beg the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property and the government of Claudia Sheinbaum to urgently seek out the owners of the Duck and advise them to register the Duck’s Trademark and assign them lawyers when they go with the executives so they don’t give it away for nothing.”.
The duck’s rise is a reminder of how quickly a viral symbol can turn into marketable value. Merlin’s fame is rooted in something personal—Karla Gomez bringing him along while she sells water and sodas—yet it now sits in the spotlight of major institutions. high-profile accounts. and corporate branding.
World Cup 2026 Merlin duck Mexico national team Karla Gomez Aeromexico Volaris IHOP social media unofficial mascot Mexico City street vendor trademark