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Interview translation:
DALLAS (Special Envoy).- When he got on a plane to Sweden in 1958, Brazil had not yet won a World Cup, it was years before the arrival of color television and more than two decades before the Internet appeared. Since then he has seen almost everything. He lived through the disaster in Sweden and the first Brazilian consecration; He enjoyed the best Pelé, he witnessed England's only title, Johan Cruyff's Clockwork Orange and Argentina's 1978 champion.

He saw Maradona debut in a World Cup, consecrate himself in Mexico, leave another in the saddest way and return as a coach. He suffered Dennis Bergkamp's unforgettable goal in Toulouse from the booth; witnessed the failure of Korea-Japan; He detected Messi waiting on the bench during the elimination against Germany in 2006 and expanding his legend throughout his six World Cups. He toured 16 countries and five continents. He crossed oceans, borders and generations. In the middle, the rules, the tactical systems, the number of footballers changed, substitutions were invented, the VAR appeared and even a break was implemented for the players to hydrate.

Enrique Macaya Márquez was part of that whole story. This is his 18th. drink as a journalist. A world record, precisely. And the proof of a life dedicated to telling football. “I would say to that Enrique who got on the plane to Sweden that he was very lucky,” he reflects in Dallas, where this Tuesday he added another chapter to a journey that began almost seven decades ago.

Macaya always dresses elegant. On TV, on the radio, at home. Also in the hotel where he is staying, and on the field. There is something of an artist in him. There doesn't seem to be much distance between the character and the person. It is immune to heat. Outside the thermometer reads 34°C, but it is difficult to imagine him wearing any other clothes, and he would wear them with enviable naturalness and control over the heat.

At the age of 24, he made the trip to Sweden to cover his first World Cup, an experience that would mark the rest of his professional life.

At the age of 24, he made the trip to Sweden to cover his first World Cup, an experience that would mark the rest of his professional life.

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-When you look back, what image appears first?

-The 1958 World Cup. It seems like a distant vision, almost delayed by time, but what remained impregnated in my memory was not just football. It was also the experience of traveling to Europe. At that time, getting there meant taking different planes, from different companies, and spending many hours on the journey. It was an international experience that went far beyond a match, a team or even a world championship.

-What changed the most: football, journalism or the way of experiencing a World Cup?

-Journalism changed especially because of technology. And also due to the need to incorporate increasingly deeper knowledge, which allows for the construction of more solid analyzes of the game and the performance of the footballers. On the other hand, the public's attitude also changed, although that has more to do with social issues: with frustrations, shortcomings and lack of satisfaction. In this context, football usually offers, even if it is ephemeral, some of those joys that people look for.

His participation in Fútbol de Primera made him one of the most recognized voices in Argentine sports journalism.

His participation in Fútbol de Primera made him one of the most recognized voices in Argentine sports journalism.

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-After so many years and so many figures, do you feel that this World Cup occupies a different place because it is Messi's last?

-It undoubtedly has a special character, especially because of what Messi has meant to football. Beyond that, it was always very difficult for me to make comparisons about who was the best in history, the best Argentine soccer player or the best in the world. They are complex discussions, because there are many factors that determine a player's performance: his teammates, his opponents, the time in which he lives, the moment of maturity in which he reaches each challenge. With just a few of these variables, the reading changes completely.

-When the years pass and his legacy has to be summarized, what do you think will be the first thing that will be remembered about him?

-Messi has been an example. And even more so if you take into account that he was never physically privileged to fight or clash, but he was physically privileged to fight or clash, but he was technically and intelligently privileged. He has an extraordinary ability to turn something very difficult into something that seems simple. And that, in football, is an exceptional talent.

In Qatar 2022 he was present at the consecration of Argentina, 64 years after having covered its first World Cup

In Qatar 2022 he was present at the consecration of Argentina, 64 years after having covered its first World Cup

-You saw the champion teams of 1978, 1986 and now Lionel Scaloni's team. Where do you locate es

Interview: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/de-pele-a-lionel-messi-el-viaje-interminable-de-enrique-macaya-marquez-el-periodista-que-nunca-dejo-nid22062026/