MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� Juli谩n Qui帽ones and Ra煤l Jim茅nez may have scored the goals, but a duck stole the show.
As Mexico celebrated its over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a 2-year-old duck dressed in the national team鈥檚 colors, became an unlikely internet sensation and the tournament鈥檚 first unofficial mascot.
Images of Merlin parading through Mexico City, wearing a jersey 鈥� and socks 鈥� as thousands of fans celebrated, quickly went viral, racking up millions of views across social media. Overnight, and as if by the magic of the famous wizard who inspired his name, Merlin had captivated the internet.
鈥淲e want to see Merlin in the stadium,鈥� one user wrote. 鈥淭his duck is already a national treasure,鈥� said another. 鈥淭he best thing about the World Cup so far,鈥� declared a third.
In , however, Merlin was already something of a local celebrity.
A familiar sight at fairs and events in the historic city center, the duck regularly accompanies his owner, Carla G贸mez, who sells water and soft drinks from a little cart each weekend. Along the way, the animal attracts plenty of delighted squeals, affectionate greetings and eager requests from passersby for a photo together.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 like to leave him alone at home; we like him to be with us. He鈥檚 our baby,鈥� G贸mez said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the baby, the sole heir to all my possessions and now an idol.鈥�
Rain or shine, Merlin follows G贸mez and her young son Cristian through some of the capital鈥檚 best-known landmarks, including Alameda Central, the Palace of Fine Arts and The duck shares a particularly close bond with Cristian, for whom he was originally a gift, becoming what G贸mez describes as the boy’s inseparable companion.
鈥淢erlin had already become famous for selling bottled water,鈥� G贸mez said, recalling her surprise at her pet鈥檚 sudden rise to fame.
鈥淗e is always with us; we never imagined he鈥檇 become such a sensation,鈥� she added. 鈥淲e weren鈥檛 expecting it.鈥�
On Monday, G贸mez 鈥� and Merlin 鈥� met with FIFA representatives to shoot photos and a commercial. Now, the family hopes Mexico鈥檚 famous feathered supporter can continue bringing luck to the , which is staging the World Cup for the third time after hosting the tournament in 1970 and 1986 鈥� this time a co-host alongside Canada and the United States.
鈥淢exico, we are with you,鈥� G贸mez said. 鈥淎nd Merlin is your No. 1 fan.鈥�
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