Mikel Merino, the Arsenal midfielder who joined the club in 2024 after a spell with Real Sociedad, reflected on a harrowing incident that nearly cost him his life during a 2017 Champions League trip with Borussia Dortmund. In a recent interview with The Players’ Tribune, the 26‑year‑old recalled how a last‑minute seat change on the team bus may have saved him when a bomb detonated as the vehicle was en route to the home leg against Monaco.
Merino was 20 at the time and had chosen a seat in the rear of the bus because the front seats were reclined and he felt his legs were “tight.” The explosive devices, concealed in a hedge and packed with metal pins, exploded as the bus passed, sending a large shard of shrapnel into the headrest of the seat he normally occupied. He described the scene as “deafening” and remembered the bus nearly tipping over, blood on the floor, smoke, and the screams of his teammates. He was taken to the hospital while his teammate Marc Bartra underwent surgery for a broken wrist. The match against Monaco was postponed until the following day, a decision that drew criticism from Dortmund’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, who is now the England national team coach.
The attack was carried out by Sergei Wenergold, a German of Russian origin, who was convicted and imprisoned in 2018. Merino said that the experience left a lasting impression on him and that he feels “fortunate to be alive.” He likened the incident to having an angel on his shoulder and noted how it shaped his outlook on life and football.
Merino’s story also covers his remarkable recovery from a stress fracture in his right foot in February 2023, just months before Spain’s World Cup triumph. When doctors told him he would be out for six months, he was stunned and focused on the four‑month gap to the tournament. He spoke to his wife, Lola, about the situation, and the emotional moment helped him stay motivated. He described how he used the memory of the bus attack to fuel his determination, believing that “things happen for a reason.”
After his return, Merino played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s historic Premier League title win, celebrating with his teammates. He then focused on his final match of the season against Crystal Palace on 24 May, a game that would determine his readiness for Spain’s World Cup squad. He explained that he had spent a week negotiating with Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta and the medical staff to secure a brief appearance, arguing that he was fit for the Champions League final against Paris Saint‑Germain. The plan was to prove his fitness to Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente, who would announce the squad the next day. Merino’s performance earned him a place in the squad, and he celebrated the news with his family, receiving an outpouring of messages on his phone.
The incident on the Dortmund bus and his subsequent recovery highlight Merino’s resilience and determination. With the World Cup behind him and a new season ahead, he remains a key figure for both Arsenal and the Spanish national team, ready to contribute at the highest levels of club and international football.