A duck named Marlin, wearing a Mexican national soccer team uniform, followed its caretaker Cristian Gomez across a road in Mexico City on Monday.Marco Ugarte/Associated Press
Julián Quiñones and Raul Jimenez may have scored, but it was the Ducks who stole the show.
As Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening victory over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a two-year-old duck wearing the national team’s colors, unexpectedly became an online sensation and became the tournament’s first unofficial mascot.
Images of Marlin parading through Mexico City wearing a Mexican national team jersey and socks as thousands of fans celebrated quickly went viral, racking up millions of views on social media. Overnight, like the magic of his namesake’s famous wizard, Merlin captivated the internet.
“I want to see Merlin at the stadium,” one user wrote. “This duck is already a national treasure,” said another. “The best thing about the World Cup so far,” declared a third.
But in Mexico City, Marlin was already something of a local celebrity.
People take pictures of a duck named Marlin wearing a Mexico national soccer team jersey in a park in Mexico City on Monday during the World Cup.Marco Ugarte/Associated Press
A familiar sight at trade fairs and events in the historic city centre, the duck regularly accompanies his owner Carla Gomez, selling water and soft drinks from a small cart every weekend. Along the way, the animal collects many squeals of joy, affectionate greetings, and enthusiastic requests from passersby to take pictures with it.
“We don’t like to leave him alone at home. We want him to be with us. He’s our baby,” Gomez said. “He is a baby, the only heir to all my wealth, and now an idol.”
Rain or shine, Marlin follows Gomez and her young son Cristian through some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, including Alameda Central, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Plaza Zocalo. The duck shares a particularly deep bond with Cristian, having originally been a gift to him, Gomez says the duck has become an inseparable companion to the boy.
“Merlin was already famous for selling bottled water,” Gomez said, recalling her surprise at her pet’s sudden fame.
“He is always with us. We never imagined he would become such a sensation,” she added. “We didn’t expect that.”
Now, the family is hoping Mexico’s famous feathered supporter will continue to bring good fortune to the hosts, who will host the World Cup for the third time after 1970 and 1986, this time jointly hosting the World Cup with Canada and the United States.
“Mexico, we are with you,” Gomez said. “And Merlin is your biggest fan.”
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