Manu Gutiérrez, a young independent journalist from Venezuela, has become one of the standout media figures at the 2026 World Cup by securing interviews with some of the tournament's biggest names, including Lionel Messi (twice), Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, Jude Bellingham, Cuti Romero and James Rodríguez. What makes his success notable is that he has achieved it while using a wheelchair, competing for players' attention in the crowded "mixed zone" — a hallway where reporters jostle to catch footballers as they leave the pitch. His story has resonated widely and gone viral, drawing particular attention in the Argentine media.

Gutiérrez was born in the small city of Punto Fijo and suffered cerebral hypoxia during birth, which affected his motor skills, balance and mobility, leaving him unable to walk, though he has no cognitive impairment. He first spoke to Messi after Argentina's friendly against Iceland, moving into the crowd of fans when he could not reach the player in the mixed zone; Messi spotted him and granted an interview in which he addressed being four goals from becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer and his choice, aged 39, to play in another tournament. Messi later stopped to speak with him again after Argentina's match against Egypt — where the forward provided an assist and scored a late equaliser — and subsequently saw and "liked" Gutiérrez's heartfelt social media post reflecting on interviewing his childhood hero.