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Mexico’s opening victory at the World Cup against South Africa featured goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, but the spotlight unexpectedly shifted to a feathered fan who captured the nation’s heart.

Merlin, a two-year-old duck, quickly rose to fame as an online sensation, becoming the tournament’s first unofficial mascot.

Clad in Mexico’s national colours, complete with a tiny jersey and socks, Merlin strutted through the streets of Mexico City surrounded by thousands of elated supporters.

Photos of the impeccably dressed bird spread rapidly across the internet, garnering millions of views on multiple platforms. Almost overnight, and fittingly reminiscent of the legendary wizard sharing his name, Merlin enchanted social media users everywhere.

“We want to see Merlin in the stadium,” one fan commented. Another wrote, “This duck is already a national treasure.” A third added, “The best thing about the World Cup so far.”

For residents of Mexico City, however, Merlin was already a well-known figure before his newfound global recognition.

A common presence at local fairs and events in the city’s historic centre, the duck often accompanies his owner, Carla Gómez, who sells water and soft drinks from a small cart every weekend. Along their route, Merlin draws plenty of smiles, affectionate greetings, and numerous photo requests from passersby.

“We don’t like to leave him alone at home; we like him to be with us. He’s our baby,” Gómez shared. “He’s the baby, the sole heir to all my possessions and now an idol.”

Regardless of the weather, Merlin joins Gómez and her young son Cristian as they make their way past some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, including Alameda Central, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Zócalo Square. The duck shares a particularly close relationship with Cristian, who originally received him as a gift. Since then, Merlin has become what Gómez affectionately calls her son’s constant companion.

“Merlin had already gained some recognition for selling bottled water,” Gómez recalled, still astonished by the sudden international attention her pet has received.

“He’s always with us; we never imagined he’d become such a sensation,” she added. “We weren’t expecting it.”

Now, the family hopes that Mexico’s beloved feathered supporter continues to bring good fortune to the national team. The country is hosting the World Cup for the third time—after previously staging the event in 1970 and 1986—this time as co-host alongside Canada and the United States.