Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomed Merlin – the World Cup's viral duck – along with its owner Karla Gomez and her family at the National Palace during a daily press conference on Monday. Sheinbaum described the motivations behind Merlin's invitation as humanitarian and promised to assist the family in translating their newfound fame into a better quality of life.

Merlin is a two-year-old domestic duck. Its owner, Karla Gomez, is a street vendor who sells fruit juice. After Mexico won its opening match against South Africa on June 11, a video of Merlin waddling through the celebrating crowds went viral, turning him into one of the stars of the World Cup.