'I'm fortunate to be alive' – Merino recalls Dortmund bus attack

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino believes a last-minute decision to change seats on Borussia Dortmund's team bus may have saved his life when the vehicle was targeted in a bomb attack in 2017.

The Spain international was 20 when three explosives, packed with metal pins and concealed in a hedge, detonated as Dortmund travelled to their home Champions League semi-final against Monaco.

One large piece of shrapnel became lodged in the headrest of the seat Merino would normally have occupied. However, he had moved elsewhere because his "legs were feeling a bit tight".

"The seats in the front reclined so I sat up there instead, and it may have saved my life," said Merino in an interview with The Players' Tribune.

"I think I have an angel on my shoulder. I'm actually fortunate to be alive at all.

"A lot of young people probably would not even believe that it happened, or how bad it was, but it marked us all. There was a deafening noise, and then I remember the bus nearly tipping over."

The attack left a lasting impression on the midfielder, who recalled the disturbing scenes inside the bus, including blood on the floor, the smell of smoke and people screaming.

After the incident, Merino went to hospital to wait for his team-mate Marc Bartra, who required surgery for a broken wrist.

The Champions League match against Monaco was postponed until the following day, a decision that attracted criticism from Dortmund's manager at the time, Thomas Tuchel, who is now England boss.

Sergei Wenergold, a German of Russian origin, was jailed in 2018 after admitting to carrying out the attack.

Merino's account of the incident formed part of a wider interview in which he also described his recovery from a stress fracture in his right foot earlier this year and his determination to make Spain's squad for the World Cup five months later.

The midfielder suffered the foot injury in February, with doctors initially telling him that he could face six months on the sidelines.

"The doctor said, 'six months'," said Merino.

"I was too shocked to even feel sad. I just did the math in my head. The World Cup was four months away.

"When I told my wife, Lola, that's when I broke down. My brain already understood, but my heart needed me to say it out loud."

The diagnosis threatened to end his hopes of representing Spain at the tournament. Merino had previously featured in qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup but was not included in the final squad.

Determined not to miss another opportunity, he said he drew motivation from surviving the Dortmund attack, reflecting on the belief that "things happen for a reason".

"I have to play. I will be at the World Cup, no matter what," said Merino.

"I put all the meat on the barbecue, as we say in Spain. They told me they could drill two screws into my foot to give it support. I was like, Vamos, put 'em in."

His determination to return to action intensified as Spain's squad announcement approached, leaving him with limited time to prove his fitness.

While recovering, Merino watched his Arsenal team-mates celebrate securing their first Premier League title in 22 years.

Although he shared in the celebrations, his attention was focused on Arsenal's final league match of the season against Crystal Palace on 24 May. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was due to announce his World Cup squad the following day.

Merino knew he needed playing time to convince the national team coach that he was ready to compete.

"Zero minutes in four months. How do you call up a player like that?" Merino reasoned.

"I spent all week arguing with the [Arsenal] boss [Mikel Arteta] and the physios. The plan was for me to return for the Champions League final [against Paris St-Germain on 30 May], and even that was risky. But I had to show Luis that I was ready. Finally, they agreed to give me half an hour against Palace.

"That day, I was playing for the World Cup, 100%. And after that, I thought I had a good chance."

The appearance against Palace gave Merino an opportunity to demonstrate his readiness despite having gone four months without playing.

He then waited anxiously for the squad announcement, which was due the next day.

"The next day, I turned on Spanish TV. I was sitting on the sofa going, please, please please.

"At some point, the screen showed a woman in a vineyard... Mikel Merino!"

The announcement confirmed that his efforts to recover from the injury had paid off.

"I hugged Lola. I kissed [my son] Marco. My phone blew up with messages.

"I was going to the World Cup."

Merino's journey from narrowly escaping the Dortmund bus attack to overcoming a serious injury and earning a place in Spain's World Cup squad highlights the personal challenges he faced on the way to achieving his international ambitions.