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

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

• Merlin’s owner, Karla Gómez, says it was ‘an honour’

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.

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