Merlin the Duck Meets President Sheinbaum at Mexico’s National Palace

Overview

• Merlin, a pet duck dressed in a small Mexico jersey, joined President Claudia Sheinbaum onstage at her morning press event at the National Palace on Monday and quacked from the seat usually used by ministers.
• The duck first drew attention during street celebrations after Mexico’s 2–0 opening win over South Africa, when it was seen on Avenida Reforma and photos and videos spread online.
• Sheinbaum said she invited the family for humanist reasons and said the government will offer support to improve their quality of life, though officials did not provide details of that assistance.
• Owner Karla Ivette Gómez told reporters she started the process to register Merlin’s name and image as a trademark on Monday as a way to translate the duck’s fame into income for the family.
• Gómez said Merlin plays a role in the family’s street-vending business and that the new attention could help them directly, including support for her eldest son who has mental-health disorders, a dynamic to watch as the story develops.