Izan Merino

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Merino and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.

Izan Merino Rodríguez (born 15 April 2006) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Málaga CF. Mainly a defensive midfielder, he can also play as a centre-back.^[1]

Izan Merino

Personal information
Full name	Izan Merino Rodríguez
Date of birth	(2006-04-15) 15 April 2006 (age 19)
Place of birth	Málaga, Spain
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	Málaga
Number	29
Youth career
2015–2020	Málaga
2020–2021	San Félix
2021–2023	Málaga
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2024	Málaga B	29	(0)
2023–	Málaga	30	(0)
International career‡
2023	Spain U17	5	(0)
2024	Spain U18	5	(0)
2024–	Spain U19	10	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Spain UEFA European Under-19 Championship Runner-up 2025 Romania
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20 June 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 26 June 2025

Club career

Born in Málaga, Andalusia, Merino joined Málaga CF's youth setup in 2015, aged nine.^[2] He made his senior debut with the reserves on 16 October 2022, starting in a 1–1 Tercera Federación home draw against FC Málaga City.^[3]

Merino made his first team debut on 6 December 2023, starting in a 1–0 home win over CD Eldense, for the season's Copa del Rey.^[4] He featured in five Primera Federación matches in the remainder of the campaign, as his side achieved promotion to Segunda División.

Merino made his professional debut on 17 August 2024, coming on as a late substitute for Juanpe in a 2–2 away draw against Racing de Ferrol.^[5]

International career

Merino represented Spain at under-17^[6] and under-18 levels.^[7]

Honours

Spain U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2025^[8]