Emotional reason for Spain hero Mikel Merino’s celebration revealed as incredible footage from 33 years ago is unearthed
SPAIN hero Mikel Merino’s emotional celebration against Germany was an incredible nod to his father Angel.
Merino came off the bench to head a stunning winner against Germany and knock the Euro 2024 hosts out of the tournament.
The Real Sociedad midfielder ran over to the corner flag, circled around it and looked up to the sky.
It has now emerged that his dad Angel – a former LaLiga player – performed the exact same celebration.
That only that, eerily enough it was even in the exact same stadium.
In 1991, Angel made it 2-0 to Osasuna against Stuttgart in the Uefa Cup second round and second leg.
The Spanish side went on to win the match 3-2.
Fast forward 33 years and his son was sending Spain into the semi-finals of the Euros with a familiar celebration at the MHPArena.
Merino has an affection for the stadium having made his debut for Spain there in a 1-1 draw with Germany – four years before his dramatic winner.
A breathless Merino said after his quarter-final heroics: “I’m dead. The adrenaline is taking its toll on me. It was a unique moment.
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“It was a goal in the 119th minute, but there is a collective effort behind it. Being tied in the 90th minute is a blow, but we deserved it.
“It was the match we were all waiting for, between two of the best in the world. It could be a Euros or World Cup final.
“We know how to suffer, we have a great team. There’s something about this stadium that makes us lucky.
“My father also scored here. And I made my debut.”