Who is the 91-year-old journalist who got Lionel Scaloni to reveal Messi's closely guarded World Cup plan?

Lionel Scaloni broke one of his longest-standing press conference habits ahead of Argentina's final FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Jordan, revealing Lionel Messi's status after being asked a question he would ordinarily refuse to answer.The Argentina manager confirmed that Messi would not start the match and would instead begin on the bench before entering during the second half. It was information every reporter in the room had been trying to extract, but Scaloni chose to reveal it only after the question came from Enrique Macaya Márquez, the legendary 91-year-old Argentine journalist who is covering his 18th consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Scaloni makes a rare exception over Messi's place in the team

Argentina arrived at the press conference having already secured qualification for the Round of 32, leaving the biggest talking point centred on whether Messi would start against Jordan or be rested ahead of the knockout stages.Macaya Márquez took the microphone and asked the question everyone wanted answered."I want to ask two questions that will sum up this entire press conference, and my colleagues are going to kill me," he said. "But I want you to answer. The first is: Is Messi playing? And the other is: how are you going to set up the team?"Rather than sidestepping the question, as he has consistently done throughout his time as Argentina coach, Scaloni paused to acknowledge the man asking it.

"Before I answer you, Enrique, it's a pleasure for me that you're asking the question, it's a pleasure to see you here. Thank you for coming. We're now talking about 18 World Cups. Incredible," Scaloni said."When I played in Argentina, I saw you all the time. And every time you spoke, it was an inspiration for us. And it still is. I'm only going to answer the question because it's you. Otherwise I'd dodge it."

He then delivered the answer that instantly became one of the biggest talking points of the tournament."I'm only answering because you deserve it. Messi will not start."Scaloni later explained the reasoning behind the decision."Leo will most likely come on in the second half," he said. "We talked and agreed that it was better that way, but obviously it's also good for him to stay in competitive form."He added that the selection was part of a broader plan rather than an indication of his intentions for the knockout rounds."The decision of who plays tomorrow is not related to who plays in the next match. Jordan is a good opponent, and our intention will be to have the ball and dominate through possession.""The opponent's forwards are fast and we will have to take that into account."The revelation also aligned with Argentina's physical management plan for Messi, with Scaloni later confirming that the captain would feature during the second half while allowing other squad members valuable minutes before the Round of 32.

The journalist whose reputation earned football's biggest scoop

Scaloni's response reflected the extraordinary standing of Enrique Macaya Márquez within Argentine football.Now 91 years old, the veteran broadcaster is covering his 18th consecutive FIFA World Cup, extending a record that few believe will ever be matched. His World Cup journey began in Sweden in 1958, when, at just 23 years old, he travelled for more than 30 hours to report on the tournament that introduced a 17-year-old Pelé to the world.Since then, he has attended every World Cup without interruption.

His career has spanned the eras of Pelé, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and now the final World Cup campaigns of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2026.Macaya Márquez witnessed Argentina lift the World Cup in 1978, Maradona's unforgettable triumph in Mexico in 1986 and Messi's crowning achievement in Qatar in 2022. During the 2022 tournament, he was officially recognised with the world record for the most FIFA World Cups covered by a journalist.Speaking before arriving at this year's tournament, he explained why he continues to travel across the world at the age of 91."I feel as though I have an obligation to do it. I don't know how much longer it will go on, but I'll try to make the most of the one I have in front of me."Away from the World Cup, Macaya Márquez became one of Argentina's defining football voices through the iconic television programme Fútbol de Primera, which he hosted from 1985 until 2009. For generations of Argentine supporters, he chronicled both the Maradona era and the rise of Messi, establishing himself as one of the country's most respected football analysts.

Despite his legendary status, he continues to analyse the modern game with the same candour. During this tournament, he questioned the increasing influence of video technology, telling MARCA: "VAR is very confusing; there are ten penalties per game that go uncalled."Asked about Argentina's hopes of retaining the World Cup, he struck his customary cautious tone."We'll see how they play; there's no single way to win."

A moment that reflected football's respect across generations

After Scaloni confirmed Messi's role, Macaya Márquez simply replied: "That's enough for me."The brief exchange drew applause from sections of the media room. Scaloni paused his usual routine to acknowledge a journalist whose career has spanned nearly seven decades of football coverage. In doing so, he revealed Messi’s role for the match,something he rarely discusses so openly before games.