April 2027 will mark the tenth anniversary of the horrific attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus departing their hotel to play AS Monaco.
For former Dortmund player and current Arsenal FC star Mikel Merino that terrifying moment remains clear in his conscious.
"There was a deafening bang and I remember the bus almost tipped over. I looked back and saw blood on the ground," he told The Players' Tribune.
"Smoke, screams. I remember being in the hospital that same night, waiting for Marc Bartra, whose wrist was shattered," said Merino.
Perhaps even more shocking for the 2026 World Cup winner to look back on is that he himself was lucky to escape unharmed.
"The next day, someone told me that a huge piece of shrapnel had become lodged in the headrest of the seat next to Marc Bartra.
"My usual seat. Nobody was sitting there that day," explained Merino, who had chosen to sit further forward in the bus for more legroom.
"My legs felt a bit stiff, and since the seats at the front of the bus were adjustable, I sat there. Maybe that saved my life.
"Yes, I firmly believe that everything in life has a purpose," the Spaniard recalled, looking back on the traumatic Champions League night.
Weeks later, Sergej W. was identified as the perpetrator, charged with 28 counts of attempted murder and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
He had detonated three homemade explosive devices because he had bet on a falling share price of Borussia Dortmund.
