Mikel Merino believes he is "fortunate to be alive" after surviving an attack on the team bus during his time at Borussia Dortmund.

Hidden bombs containing metal pins went off as the bus travelled past a hedge on the way to a Champions League quarter-final match in 2017.

Dortmund defender Marc Bartra underwent wrist surgery and a police officer was also treated for injuries.

Merino revealed he could have suffered a fatal injury in the attack, as he normally sat next to Bartra.

"I think I have an angel on my shoulder," he told The Players' Tribune.

"I’m actually fortunate to be alive at all. I was 20 and playing for Dortmund when three pipe bombs went off right next to our bus on the way to a Champions League match.

"A lot of young people probably would not even believe that it happened, or how bad it was, but it marked us all. There was a deafening noise, and then I remember the bus nearly tipping over.

"I looked behind me and saw blood on the floor. Smoke, screams. I remember being at the hospital later that night, waiting for Marc Bartra, who had his wrist badly cut up. The next day, someone told me that a huge piece of shrapnel was lodged in the headrest of the seat next to Marc. My usual seat.

"That day, the seat was empty. My legs were feeling a bit tight, and the seats in the front reclined. So I sat up there instead, and it may have saved my life.

"So yeah, I just have this belief that things happen for a reason."