Taco-eating World Cup duck Merlin ATTACKS Mexican president after becoming viral sensation at tournament
VIRAL World Cup sensation Merlin the Duck took a peck at Claudia Sheinbaum after being introduced to the Mexican president.
Merlin has shot to fame since beating spotted wearing a Mexico shirt during street celebrations of the co-hosts’ opening night 2-0 win over South Africa.
Fans immediately took to Merlin, with the patriotic duck having become the World Cup’s unofficial mascot.
Such is Merlin’s newfound fame, that he was invited to meet President Sheinbaum.
And he quickly stole the show at the 63-year-old’s morning press conference in Mexico City.
Merlin waddled over to Sheinbaum, to the delight of onlookers.
As she attempted to pet him, however, he attempted to take a peck at the shocked politician.
Luckily Sheinbaum quickly drew her hand away and was not injured in the incident.
Merlin’s owner Carla Gomez subsequently spoke of her pride at being invited to meet her country’s president.
Gomez said: “We feel very honoured to be here with the president, it is an honour for us to stand before you and for the whole world to see the beautiful side of Mexico.”
Sheinbaum also gushed over new national hero Merlin.
She said: “Today we brought the family that has Merlin the duck as their pet, because he has been a symbol of the World Cup, a symbol of what Mexican families stand for, of who we are as Mexican families, and that is above all else, it is what the world is seeing from Mexico today.”
Two-year-old Merlin loves being treated to a taco on Sundays.
Gomez, meanwhile is a street vendor and is proud to be a working class Mexican.
Merlin was gifted to her by a customer and loves to help out.
Gomez added of Merlin’s newfound fame: “It has been the best thing that has happened to us in this life”.
