Photo via BBC Sport

'I'm fortunate to be alive' - Merino relives bus attack

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino reflected on the near-fatal bus attack he survived during his time at Borussia Dortmund, revealing how a spontaneous decision may have spared him from severe injury. The 2017 incident occurred as Dortmund’s team bus was targeted by explosives planted along its route to a Champions League semi-final against Monaco.

Three bombs detonated as the vehicle passed, sending shrapnel flying—one piece embedding itself in the headrest of Merino’s usual seat. He had moved forward due to discomfort in his legs, a choice he now credits with saving his life.

The attack left teammate Marc Bartra with a broken wrist, while the match was postponed amid chaos, drawing criticism from then-Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel (now England’s head coach). Merino later channeled the trauma into resilience, recovering from a stress fracture in his foot just months before Spain won the 2022 World Cup, defying medical expectations to play a pivotal role in the tournament.

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