Poncho De Nigris, the influencer and entrepreneur from Monterrey, has publicly expressed his intention to buy Merlín, the duck that became an internet sensation during the 2026 World Cup.

Through his social media channels, De Nigris initially offered 500,000 Mexican pesos to Merlín’s owners, aiming to make the duck the official mascot of Ring Royale 2, a popular influencer fight event that gained significant attention after its first edition.

His proposal sparked thousands of reactions and ignited a heated debate online, with many questioning the true motives behind the offer.

On the social platform X, Poncho was clear and direct:
“I’m offering Merlín’s family 500,000 pesos. Please get this message to them if they’re interested. I’ll even throw in some original UFOs. I’m not joking—this duck, preserved in the future, will be history,” he wrote.

Far from a joke, De Nigris reinforced his position with several follow-up posts, confirming that formal talks are underway to finalize the acquisition. He explained that the media frenzy around Merlín was a key factor in his decision.

The duck’s rise to fame during the 2026 World Cup made it one of the most talked-about figures of the event, attracting attention beyond sports fans.

As of today, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Poncho De Nigris announced that negotiations with Merlín’s representatives are progressing positively.
“We’re already in talks with Merlín’s team. Thanks for helping me get in touch. Just for taking this seriously, I’m raising the offer to 800,000 pesos. We’ll probably meet this weekend. Thanks,” he shared.

This story highlights how viral moments can create unexpected opportunities and how influencers like De Nigris are leveraging cultural phenomena to expand their brands and events.