Mikel Merino Is A Proud Football Dad! Inside The Spanish Star's Growing Family With His Wife, Lola
After Mikel Merino's stunning goal that secured Spain's ticket to the 2026 FIFA WC quarter-finals, take a look inside the star footballer's life with his model wife, Lola Liberal.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleMikel Merino is the talk of the town now as Spain's unlikely hero, whose one goal knocked Portugal out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and secured his country a place in the quarter-finals. The 30-year-old Arsenal midfielder came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Portugal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup journey and once again proving his knack for delivering on the biggest stage.
While fans celebrate his latest footballing heroics, Merino has another reason to smile away from the pitch. The Spanish international recently became a first-time father and has been balancing football's biggest tournament with life at home alongside his wife, Lola Liberal, and their newborn son.
Mikel Merino's love story with wife, Lola Liberal
The details about the couple's relationship mostly remain under wraps. Merino's now-wife, Lola, has long been involved in the footballer's life. The couple first made their relationship public in 2019, and Lola has since become a familiar face as a football WAG.
From what is known about Lola, she is an influencer and a model from Navarre, Spain. The 26-year-old has an active presence on social media where she often shares heartfelt family moments with Merino, while also flaunting her knack for everything fashion and lifestyle-related.
Lola became Merino's biggest support during recovery. The couple's bond gained significant attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they started posting workout routines and shared fitness tips while in quarantine. The midfielder humorously used Lola as an improvised weight during his home workouts. The videos quickly went viral and showcased the playful side of their relationship.
In 2024, Mikel and Lola tied the knot, first in an intimate ceremony at the San Nicolas parish in Pamplona, followed by a grand reception in the city with his football teammates and friends in attendance. Merino has often described Lola and his soccer family as the driving force behind his determination on the field.
The couple recently welcomed their first child
Before his jaw-dropping gameplay at the World Cup, Mikel Merino celebrated one of the biggest achievements of his life, i.e., becoming a father for the first time. In May 2026, just months before the coveted match, he and Lola welcomed their first child, a baby boy, Marco. The couple announced the infant's arrival with a joint post, writing, "Our family, welcome Marco!"
The arrival of their son coincided with one of the toughest periods of the footballer's career. Merino was recovering from a serious foot injury ahead of the FIFA World Cup, and he admitted he spent significant time away from his newborn as he fought to regain fitness. After Spain's victory over Portugal, the footballer reflected on that emotional journey. He was quoted as saying:
"The injury, not seeing my little one grow: I used that as strength to get the best out of me. This is the product of the hard work my family always inculcated in me. I did my part. For it to happen at the last minute again, I am so happy."
Through it all, Lola has been an inspiration and a rock to the football star. In what he calls one of the most difficult chapters of Merino's career, Lola became his biggest support, helping him through months of recovery despite being heavily pregnant at that time.
Football runs in the Merino family
Football has always been part of Merino's life. His father, Ángel Merino, enjoyed a lengthy professional career in Spain, while his uncle, Julián Merino, also played professionally. In one of football's most touching tributes, Mikel recreated his father's famous corner-flag celebration after scoring Spain's winner against Germany at UEFA Euro 2024, a celebration he has continued throughout his career.
Merino may not always dominate headlines like Spain's biggest stars, but his ability to score decisive goals has made him one of the team's most reliable impact players. And his wife is there to cheer the loudest.
Pics: Lola Liberal/Instagram
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