Manu Gutiérrez has landed interviews with some of the biggest figures at this year’s World Cup including Lionel Messi (twice), Lionel Scaloni, Jude Bellingham, Cuti Romero, James Rodríguez and more. Pretty good for a fresh-faced independent journalist from Venezuela.

But here’s the thing: Gutiérrez has landed those interviews amid the scrum of the “mixed zone,” which is located in a hallway where a crush of reporters try to catch players’ attention as they walk off the field. And he’s done so in a wheelchair.

Gutiérrez was born in Punto Fijo, which he describes as “a very small city in Venezuela.” There were complications during his birth which, he told the outlet Infobae, “caused me cerebral hypoxia, meaning my brain lacked oxygen.” He has no cognitive impairment but, he explained, the incident did impact “my motor skills, my mobility, my balance, my strength in my legs and arms, and that’s why I can’t walk.”

But his physical impairment did not stop him from loving sports. Describing his joy at just getting his media accreditation for the tournament, Gutiérrez wrote, “I reflect more deeply when looking back and imagining how that boy who slept with his ball and his Vinotinto jersey on would have reacted…That boy who was capable of hiding with his group during recess to tune into the matches on the radio, even if it meant tangling with a beehive.”

Imagine, then, what it meant to him after Argentina’s friendly match against Iceland, when Gutiérrez couldn’t get an interview, he went outside in the crowd of fans and got his chance to speak with Messi.

“He spotted me in a crowd of people, despite being in a wheelchair,” wrote Gutiérrez, “and he listened when I said: ‘I’m a journalist, Leo. One question, please…’ I clarified my profession because he hadn’t seen me in the mixed zone, where he spoke at length, but due to the height I was at, he hadn’t noticed me, so I moved toward where the fans were, and I didn’t mind being pushed or shoved; for some reason, I knew that if he saw me, he’d grant me the interview, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Gutiérrez was ready with substantial questions. The first was about Messi being just four goals away from being the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

“To be honest, I’ve never focused on individual records,” replied Messi. “I always try to achieve collective goals, whatever is best for the team and the group. We’re going to take it one game at a time, do our best, and compete the way we always have.”

His second question was about the 39-year-old Messi’s decision to compete in another World Cup.

“It happened naturally,” said Messi. “The last time I talked about this was before the previous World Cup. Back then, I felt there was still a long way to go, and waiting another four years made it seem difficult for me to be there. But I never stopped competing.”

Messi then added that his move to play in the U.S. helped maintain his love for the game as we all stay sharp on the pitch.

“Even after moving to Inter Miami, where I’ve been for some time now, I always tried to give my best. Things developed naturally, I kept feeling good, and it’s a joy to be here.”

Hay un dicho muy popular que dice: “Nunca conozcas a tus héroes.” Una frase que alerta sobre una posible decepción.

Leo, como muchos de mi generación, fue mi héroe, me hacía feliz verlo a través de una pantalla o en una barajita. Sin embargo, mi sueño no era hacerme una foto con… pic.twitter.com/StKPMqitGw

— Маnu Gutiérrez (@ManuSportsVE) June 10, 2026

The interview went viral, and there was a frenzy to interview Gutiérrez in the Argentine media.

After his team’s match against Egypt, in which Messi led his side back in the closing minutes with an assist and the tying goal, the superstar stopped again to speak with Gutiérrez. This time it was amidst the fray of the mixed zone, walking directly up to him. You can watch video of the interview with an English translation below.

After speaking with the the Argentine great, Gutiérrez wrote, “There’s a very popular saying that goes: ‘Never meet your heroes.’ A phrase that warns about a possible disappointment.

“Leo, like many from my generation, was my hero; seeing him on a screen or on a trading card made me happy. However, my dream wasn’t to get a photo with him or an autograph, but to be able to interview him.

“Leo, if you’re reading this… which would already be too much, I just want to thank you because you didn’t only deliver another one of your impossible assists—you also made me incredibly happy with your generosity, and seeing the faces of my friends and family afterward is priceless.”

Messi later saw the post online and liked it.