Merlin the duck unruffled after meeting president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum

Pet in a replica shirt is unofficial mascot of the World Cup

Merlin, the pet duck in a mini Mexico shirt who has ⁠become a viral sensation and an unofficial mascot of the World Cup , met Mexico’s president on Monday.

The duck waddled on ⁠to the stage ⁠at the ​start of Claudia Sheinbaum’s regular morning press conference, took a seat where ministers and officials are usually seen, and unfazed ⁠by the occasion, let out a few quacks.

“We feel very honoured to be here with the president, it is an honour for ⁠us to stand before you and for the whole world to see the ​beautiful side of Mexico ,” said Karla ‌Gómez, Merlin’s owner.

Merlin’s fame ‌was ignited during street celebrations after the co-hosts beat South Africa 2-0 in the ‌opening game on 11 June, when the costumed duck was seen wandering among the crowd on the capital’s bustling Reforma avenue. Since then, Merlin has become one of the stars of the World Cup.

Gómez said she is hoping to make Merlin a registered trademark and that his newfound fame can help their ‌family, especially her eldest son who has a mental illness.

Sheinbaum said Merlin’s family will receive assistance without providing details. “Today we brought the ​family that has Merlin the duck as their pet, because he has been a symbol of the World Cup, a symbol of what Mexican families stand for, of who we are as Mexican families, and that is above all else, it is ⁠what the world is seeing from Mexico today,” Sheinbaum said.

Gómez described ​Merlin as the “boss” of ​her business as a streetside ​beverage vendor. She said Merlin has a balanced diet but enjoys ​a pork ‌taco on Sundays. Merlin ​is two years ​old and came into the family as a gift from a customer. He usually wears shoes to protect his webbed feet because, according to Gómez, he loves to walk.