Mikel Merino: Career, Net Worth, Awards & Family

If the Italian defence is an art, then the Spanish midfield is poetry. What started with dazzling moves and tiki-taka passing from the likes of Iniesta and Xavi, gracing football's biggest stages, has now evolved into tactical geniuses on the field who carry out their dynamic responsibilities with precision. One such name is Arsenal's very own Mikel Merino.

In the realm of European Football, Mikel Merino is the most complete and tactically intelligent midfielder. From his heroics in the final of Euro 24, where Spain were crowned Champions, to his massive positional transition under Mikel Arteta following his big PL move, the tale of Mikel Merino is all about a legendary modern midfielder in the making.

Who is Mikel Merino?

Mikel Merino is a midfielder who plays for Arsenal and the Spanish National Football Team. He is renowned for his tactical ability and play-making skills on the pitch. Merino is a midfielder who has tried and tested the footballing environment in Spain, Germany, and England. From his days at Osasuna to his tenure under Mikel Arteta, Merino's journey has been marked by steady development and consistent performances.

Mikel Merino Net Worth

As of 2025, the estimated Mikel Merino net worth is close to 25 million pounds. Given the lucrative contracts he had so far for the clubs he played for and the salaries that he drew from those clubs, such a number is justified. A massive portion of that net worth is also thanks to the bonuses, in addition to his wages and signing fees.

Moreover, the Spaniard had quite a few endorsement deals for the clubs he played for, which added to his staggering net worth. His investments and initiatives also promise a hefty return for the near future.

What is Mikel Merino Salary?

His contract at Arsenal grants him 130,000 pounds every week, and in terms of annual salary, he earns around 6,760,000 pounds. Here is a more comprehensive view of Mikel Merino salary over the years as per Capology:

Playing Style and Strengths

Mikel Merino is one of the rare breed of midfielders who is the perfect example of a box-to-box player. From intelligence to physical presence in the midfield, there are quite a few quality traits in Arsenal's number 8:

• His ability to react quickly to the tactical cues and read the press to get by it makes him a valuable asset in Arteta's team.
• He is a reliable outlet during the buildup. From breaking the lines with a feint to cutting the defence with a sharp through ball, he is one of the cogs in the Arsenal midfield that can dictate the tempo from deep positions.
• In addition to this, his versatility to play both as a central and defensive midfielder gives Arteta more options. The Spanish coach has also encouraged a massive adjustment for the midfielder who was used as a false 9 in the 2024-25 season.
• Mikel's calm demeanour in the match and his leadership in the midfield no doubt go well with the likes of Declan Rice. They are a pair who promise a lot for the Arsenal in the forthcoming season.

Mikel Merino Family and Early Life

Hailing from Pamplona of Spain, football was worshipped in Mikel Merino family. His father, Angel Merino, was a professional player who was adored by the Spanish fans. Just like the father, Mikel's passion for football began at an early age.

His journey started from the youth setup of Osasuna, showcasing remarkable maturity and understanding of the game.

While football was indeed taken seriously in the Merino clan, the encouragement for academic pursuits was also there. Just as the midfielder amazes us with his tactical intelligence, in his scholarly years, Merino was an intelligent student.

At Osasuna, he developed his skills and understanding of the game. When he was 18, he already started with the first team of Osasuna. His maturity in understanding the game and natural abilities attracted all the right attention.

Who is Mikel Merino Wife?

Fun fact for the fans who are looking forward to knowing more about Mikel Merino wife, Lola Liberal, is a traveller in addition to being a fashion enthusiast and an excellent blogger.

Boasting just over 10.5K+ followers, Lola Liberal often shares personal moments of her life along with her partner, Mikel. From match-winning moments to vacation pictures, tune into her Insta to be a part of the pair's personal life.

Mikel Merino Career

In addition to Mikel Merino's international success with Spain, recently winning the Euros, his club journey from Osasuna to Arsenal has been followed by the rapid development of a tactically gifted midfielder. Let us have a look at Mikel Merino career.

Club Career

Merino's journey started with CA Osasuna in 2014, when he was just 18 years old. It didn't take long for him to be a key part of the team in the Segunda Division. His ability to read the game and win duels was an asset for the manager. He had his breakthrough season in 2015-16 when the midfielder managed to score six goals in eight matches during a promotional run for his club. After being a regular and reliable player on the team for a couple of years, he made his move to Germany.

In 2016, Borussia Dortmund came knocking for the midfielder, and the move back then promised nourishment under the renowned manager Thomas Tuchel. However, things did not quite pan out the way Merino had wanted, as the midfielder saw less game time under the German manager. But that did not stop the Spaniard from gaining valuable experience in training alongside some of the great talents of Europe.

The Osasuna product then joined Newcastle United on a loan from Borussia Dortmund. Surprisingly, it did not take him long to adapt to the high pace and demand of the Premier League, as his composure on the ball and distribution won the club, its legends and fans. The Toon Army made the move permanent after his loan spell. But just after one season, Mikel made a move back to Spain.

In 2018, he joined Real Sociedad, and it turned out to be the right decision for the midfielder. Over the six seasons he played at the club, he became a consistent and all-around midfielder. Following his heroics with Spain at the Euro 2024, he started to get a lot of attention from European giants. It was Arsenal who eventually acquired the services of the dynamic midfielder.

Let us have a look at his stats so far by FotMob:

International Career

Even though irregular, Mikel Merino has decent appearances for his national team. His heroics at the Euro 2024 against Germany and the Nations League are remembered and celebrated by a generation of fans who were entertained by how Spain performed the whole campaign. Here are the international stats of Merino:

Mikel Merino Awards and Achievements

Here is a glimpse of Mikel Merino awards and achievements: