Midfielder Mikel Merino has made clear his admiration for Luis de la Fuente, whom he considers a personal and professional role model. In a recent interview, the Real Sociedad player not only highlighted the coach's support but also criticized the atmosphere on social media following the World Cup debut. For fans, his words reflect the daily struggle of athletes against pressure and external noise.
The toxic algorithm: how to isolate from digital noise in sports 🛡️
Merino criticized the toxicity of social platforms, a phenomenon that affects footballers' performance. From a technical standpoint, the bombardment of notifications and comments activates stress responses in the brain, hindering concentration. Tools such as content filters, account blocking, and disconnection schedules are essential. The footballer advocates for digital isolation, a strategy that many teams implement to protect the mental health of their squads.
Merino and De la Fuente: the duo that survives 'hate' and the press 🤝
While Merino isolates himself from virtual hatred, one wonders if the coach also blocks criticism when he misses a pass. The relationship between them seems more solid than a paid antivirus, although the real test will come when the team loses two consecutive games. For now, the player trusts his coach more than Twitter's algorithm, and that, in these times, is quite an achievement.