Meet Merlin the duck, a Mexico City streetside regular turned World Cup mascot. VERBATIM: As Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening victory over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a 2-year-old duck dressed in the national team’s colors, became an unlikely internet sensation and the tournament’s first unofficial mascot. Images of Merlin parading through Mexico City, wearing […]
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Meet Merlin, FiFA Mascot!
Meet Merlin the duck, a Mexico City streetside regular turned World Cup mascot.
VERBATIM:
As Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening victory over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a 2-year-old duck dressed in the national team’s colors, became an unlikely internet sensation and the tournament’s first unofficial mascot.
Images of Merlin 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 across social media. Overnight, and as if by the magic of the famous wizard who inspired his name, Merlin had captivated the internet.
Bernie Bennett reporting.