FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina head coach Scaloni pays tribute as veteran journalist Macaya Marquez covers 18th edition of World Cup
Arlington, June 27
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni shared a touching moment with veteran journalist Enrique Macaya Marquez ahead of his side's final Group J match against Jordan at the FIFA World Cup 2026, paying tribute to the 91-year-old reporter who is covering a record 18th World Cup.
During Argentina's pre-match press conference in Arlington, Macaya Marquez was invited to ask the opening question. Before responding, Scaloni acknowledged the legendary 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 and was followed by another memorable moment when Scaloni approached the veteran journalist after the press conference, embracing him and posing for photographs.
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 travelled 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 gone on to report from every edition since Sweden 1958, becoming one of the most recognisable voices in Argentine sports media.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and FIFA honoured 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".
Beyond his World Cup legacy, Macaya Marquez remains an iconic figure in Argentine football, having hosted the influential television programme Futbol de Primera from 1985 to 2009 and chronicled generations of the sport's history.
— ANI
Reader Comments
How heartwarming! Scaloni could have just answered the question and moved on, but he took a moment to honor a man who has dedicated his entire life to football. This is the kind of sportsmanship and humanity we need more of. Makes me respect Argentina even more as a football nation. ❤️
68 years covering the World Cup! From the era of black-and-white TV to ultra HD streaming. Macaya Marquez has seen Pelé, Maradona, Messi all in action. It's humbling to think about the thousands of matches he's reported on. Truly remarkable.
While I appreciate the gesture, I wish our own sports media in India showed similar respect to veteran journalists covering local sports. Too often, we see seasoned journalists being replaced by younger, flashier faces without any acknowledgment of their decades of service. We can learn from this.
Scaloni's humility is unmatched. The way he said "I answer it because it's you" - chills! 🇦🇷 This is why Argentina is world champion, not just on the pitch but in values too. Macaya Marquez covering 18 World Cups is an inspiration for every aspiring journalist out there.
This hits home. In India, we often don't celebrate our sports journalists enough - people like Raj Singh Dungarpur or M.V. Ramana who chronicled Indian cricket for decades. It's not just about the players, the storytellers matter too. Glad to see FIFA and CONMEBOL recognizing this legend
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.