Mikel Merino played the full 90 minutes in Spain’s 5-3 win in Northern Ireland as part of qualifying for next year’s European U21 Championships to take place in Italy and San Marino.
Here are the video highlights of that game.
Players born on or after 1 January 1996 eligible to participate in the tournament.
Mikel is almost certain to play in the finals next year and he was part of the successful Spanish U19 side that won the 2015 European U19 Championships in Greece.
Merino made a great start to his Newcastle career early in the season but since his back injury in October he’s had a hard time of it to get back as a starter for the side.
Mikel Merino – in action at Arsenal
Mikel has said it’s the worst injury he’s had in his career.
Merino was interviewed recently in the Chronicle and he let it be known he is very happy at Newcastle United.
Here’s some of what he said:
“It is amazing to see the stadium in the middle of the city.”
“That’s great because the stadium is so big everybody can go on a match day and it’s always full.”
“But it’s a beautiful thing to see.”
“If you go out for a hot drink or meet friends, wherever you go in the city you look up and St James’ Park.”
“It’s a lovely city and the city gives a lot of love back to the players.” “I am happy to live here.”
“Sometimes the Geordie people recognize me when I am in the city and they always have nice words for me.”
“It’s lovely to have this type of affection.”
“It has helped me and my team-mates to carry on and it makes it easier to work here.”
Mikel will likely be involved in our next game a week tomorrow at home to Huddersfield.
That’s another crucial 6 pointer – just like our last game at home to the Saints.
If we win this next game we’ll be quite well placed in the league table, although we can only go up one place; we also have a game in hand.
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