Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni shared a heartfelt moment with veteran journalist Enrique Macaya Marquez ahead of Argentina's final Group J match against Jordan at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 91-year-old reporter is covering a record 18th edition of the tournament, an achievement that drew praise from Scaloni during the pre-match press conference in Arlington, Texas.
Scaloni's Tribute to a Legendary Broadcaster
During the press conference, Macaya Marquez was invited to ask the opening question. Before responding, Scaloni acknowledged the broadcaster's remarkable career and longevity in football journalism. "It's a pleasure for me to be able to answer one of your questions. I answer it because it's you, enjoy the World Cup," Scaloni said, according to a video shared on X by Sudanalytics. Macaya Marquez replied with a smile, "That's enough for me."
The exchange drew warm reactions from those in attendance. After the press conference, Scaloni approached the veteran journalist, embracing him and posing for photographs, adding to the emotional tribute.
Macaya Marquez's Record-Breaking Career
Enrique Macaya Marquez's association with the World Cup spans nearly seven decades. Born in Buenos Aires in 1934, he began his journalism career at the age of 15 with Argentine radio station Radio Rivadavia. At just 23, he traveled to Sweden to cover the 1958 World Cup for Radio Belgrano, beginning a relationship with football's biggest tournament that has endured ever since. His first World Cup assignment came 68 years ago, and he has reported from every edition since Sweden 1958, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in Argentine sports media.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and FIFA honored Macaya Marquez for setting the record as the journalist who had covered the most World Cups, with 17 tournaments to his name at the time. Earlier this month, South American football governing body CONMEBOL paid tribute to him as he began work at his 18th World Cup, describing him as a figure who has dedicated his life to passing on football's memories and emotions across generations. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also praised Macaya Marquez during the tournament's opening week, calling his achievement "truly incredible."
Impact and Legacy
Beyond his World Cup legacy, Macaya Marquez remains an iconic figure in Argentine football, having hosted the influential television program Futbol de Primera from 1985 to 2009 and chronicled generations of the sport's history. Scaloni's gesture underscores the respect for Macaya Marquez's contribution to football journalism, highlighting the intersection of sports and media at the global stage.
