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5d ago

Merlín the Duck Meets President Sheinbaum at Morning Briefing

The president pledged unspecified help as the vendor family manages surging public interest and seeks to trademark Merlín.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum pets Merlin, a duck wearing the jersey of the Mexican national soccer team ("El Tri"), who went viral after Mexico’s first match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during the president’s morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, June 22, 2026. Mexico Presidency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Merlin, a duck, wearing a Mexico national football team ('El Tri') jersey that shot to fame after a chance encounter on Reforma Avenue went viral following the FIFA 2026 match between Mexico and South Africa, walks in Alameda Central in Mexico City, Mexico, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Paolo Garcia
Merlin, a duck wearing a Mexico national football team ('El Tri') jersey, that shot to fame after a chance encounter on Reforma Avenue went viral following the FIFA 2026 match between Mexico and South Africa, walks in Chinatown in Mexico City, Mexico, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Paola Garcia
Merlin the duck, dressed in a Mexican national soccer team jersey, attends the daily press conference by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, second from left, along with his caretakers Carla Gomez and her sons Carlos, and Christian who holds Merlin, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Overview

  • Merlín, a two-year-old pet duck that went viral after Mexico’s June 11 World Cup celebration, waddled onto President Claudia Sheinbaum’s stage and sat where ministers usually sit during her Monday press conference.
  • Sheinbaum publicly said the family would receive assistance but gave no details about what support would include or when it would arrive.
  • The duck’s owner, identified as Karla/Carla Gómez, introduced her sons at the briefing and framed the family as representative of working-class Mexicans seeking practical help.
  • The family is pursuing trademark registration for Merlín as offers and commercial interest keep coming, and they have already declined some unsolicited cash proposals.
  • Reporters noted daily-care details—Merlín wears protective shoes, eats small fish and crickets, and gets a meat taco on Sundays—which humanize the family and underscore the concrete needs the newfound fame might address.