Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has said that a last‑minute seat change on a Borussia Dortmund team bus may have saved his life during a bomb attack in 2017.
Merino, who was traveling with the German club at the time, explained that the sudden shift in seating position meant he was not in the immediate blast zone when the bomb detonated. He said the move was a simple decision made by a teammate, but it had a profound impact on his safety.
The incident, which occurred in 2017, was one of several violent attacks that have targeted football teams in recent years. Merino’s account highlights how small, split‑second choices can make a difference in life‑threatening situations.
Merino, who has since joined Arsenal, reflected on the experience as a reminder of the dangers that can accompany international travel for professional footballers. He expressed gratitude for the quick thinking of the team that helped keep him safe.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>