Sports
Mikel Merino recounts Dortmund bus bombing survival and World Cup comeback
October 16, 2026 at 08:58 AM
Coverage
3 reports · 2 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 7 hours
TGThe Guardian
Football Daily | Watford, a ‘fake news’ sacking and an apology to Elton John
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera Arabic
"أنا محظوظ لأنني ما زلت حيا".. نجم أرسنال يروي نجاته من انفجار 3 عبوات ناسفة
(opens the publisher’s site)
KOKooora
"أنا محظوظ لأنني ما زلت حيًا".. ميكيل ميرينو يروي أسرارًا مرعبة من ماضيه
(opens the publisher’s site)Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino published an essay on surviving the 2017 Dortmund bus bombing and his injury comeback, ending in Spain's 2026 World Cup win.
- Merino published the essay on The Players' Tribune, writing that three devices exploded near the Borussia Dortmund team bus in 2017 while he was 20.
- Merino said a large shard lodged in the headrest of his usual seat, left empty after leg fatigue made him move to another seat.
- Merino said doctors diagnosed a stress fracture in February, expected six months of recovery, and he later earned a place in Spain's World Cup squad.
- Merino said Messi's shot struck his face in the final, leaving him without vision in one eye until the final whistle of Spain's win.