Mexico’s World Cup duck meets Sheinbaum

By Ana Isabel Martinez

MEXICO CITY, June 22 (Reuters) – Merlin, the mini Mexican T-shirt-wearing pet duck who became a viral sensation and the unofficial mascot of the World Cup, met with Mexico’s president on Monday.

The duck waddled onto the stage at the start of Claudia Sheinbaum’s regular morning press conference, took a seat where ministers and officials are usually seen, and unimpressedly cracked up a few quips.

“We are very honored to be here with the president, it is an honor for us to stand before you and for the whole world to see the beautiful side of Mexico,” said Karla Gomez, owner of Merlin.

Merlin’s fame was sparked during street celebrations during the hosts’ 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening game on June 11, when the costumed duck was spotted wandering among the crowds on the capital’s busy Reforma street. Since then, Merlin has become one of the stars of the World Cup.

Gomez said she wanted to get Merlin a registered trademark and that her newfound fame could help their family, especially her eldest son, who suffers from mental illness.

Merlin’s family will receive help, Sheinbaum said, without providing details.

“Today we brought the family whose pet is Merlin, because he’s a symbol of the World Cup, he’s a symbol of what Mexican families represent, he’s a symbol of who we are as Mexican families, and that’s first and foremost; that’s what the world sees from Mexico today,” Sheinbaum said.

Gomez described Merlin as the “boss” of her business as a streetside beverage vendor. She said Merlin eats a balanced diet but loves carnitas pork tacos on Sundays.

Merlin is two years old and came to the family as a gift from a customer. She usually wears shoes to protect her small webbed feet because, according to Gomez, she loves to walk.

(Reporting by Ana Isabel Martínez; Writing by Leon Ramirez; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Pritha Sarkar)