Eighteen World Cups and Still the Sharpest in the Room
Some press conferences are forgettable. Then there are moments that stop an entire room. On Friday in Arlington, Texas, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni faced the media ahead of his side’s final Group J fixture against Jordan. Routine procedure.
Routine questions. Until Enrique Macaya Márquez raised his hand. At 91 years old, the legendary Argentine journalist is covering his 18th FIFA World Cup. A record recognised by FIFA itself. A record no other journalist on the planet holds.
Before he even asked his question, the press room stopped. Fellow reporters rose to their feet and applauded. Macaya Márquez sat calmly, smiled, and waited for the room to settle. Then he went straight for the jugular. “Let me ask you,” he said. “Will Messi play against Jordan or not?”
The room held its breath. Scaloni paused, looked across at the 91-year-old, and made a decision he said he would make for no one else. “I’d never reply to any journalist on this topic right now,” the coach said. “But it is coming from you, so I tell you: Messi will not start.” The revelation landed instantly.
But it was what Scaloni added next that made the exchange truly special. “I respect you too much. I am proud to see you here.” He then walked over, embraced Márquez warmly, and posed for a photograph with him. A moment that needed no edit and no context.
A Career That Spans Pelé to Messi
To understand the weight of the moment, you need to understand who Enrique Macaya Márquez is. His World Cup journey began in Sweden in 1958, where he watched a 17-year-old Pelé announce himself to the world. He was there in 1978 when Argentina lifted the trophy on home soil.
He covered Diego Maradona’s masterclass in Mexico in 1986. He witnessed every twist, every heartbreak, every triumph across nearly seven decades of the sport’s greatest competition.
CONMEBOL recognised his dedication as he began covering his 18th World Cup, highlighting his role in preserving football’s memories and emotions across generations. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also praised the achievement during the tournament’s opening week.
Beyond the World Cup, Márquez hosted Argentina’s most influential football television programme, Futbol de Primera, from 1985 to 2009. A generation of Argentine fans grew up watching and listening to him. Scaloni himself is one of them.
When the coach said he remembered Márquez as already a star in journalism during his own playing days, it was not flattery. It was lived experience speaking directly. For the full story of Argentina’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup, keep up to date at kcpredict.com.
Messi Rests, Argentina March On
The tactical content of Scaloni’s answer matters too. Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament so far, including a hat-trick against Algeria in a 3-0 win and a brace in a 2-0 victory over Austria. He also entered the tournament nursing a hamstring issue.
Argentina have already secured top spot in Group J and progress to the knockout stage regardless of today’s result. Resting Messi is intelligent squad management. Fresh legs for the rounds ahead matter far more than a routine final group game.
Scaloni was clear that the players who do start against Jordan fully deserve their opportunity. “Those that are playing deserve to play,” he said. “They are part of the team.” Young talents like 21-year-old Nico Paz could step in, with veteran Giovani Lo Celso also in contention for minutes.
Argentina hold all the cards heading into the knockout stage. Messi will almost certainly enter from the bench and add to his already remarkable tally when the game demands it. The defending champions look ominous.
And the man who got Scaloni to admit it is 91 years old, sitting courtside, and still asking the best question in the room. Read more about the 2026 World Cup group stage results and standings for the full picture.