The first reported exchange came after Argentina’s friendly against Iceland. The report says Gutiérrez had been unable to secure an interview inside the mixed zone before moving towards supporters, where Messi noticed him and agreed to speak.
Gutiérrez uses a wheelchair and has explained that crowded post-match media areas can make it difficult for players to see him. That detail gives the encounter its importance: the interview happened because both journalist and player adapted to circumstances rather than following the usual media routine.
Gutiérrez reportedly asked Messi about being four goals short of the World Cup’s all-time scoring record and about returning to the tournament at 39.
The report says Messi replied that individual records were not his priority and described his decision to play again as something that happened naturally. Those answers placed team ambition ahead of personal milestones, while Gutiérrez’s questions avoided the softer, ceremonial tone often associated with superstar interviews.
A second meeting reportedly followed Argentina’s game against Egypt, with Messi walking directly towards Gutiérrez amid the post-match traffic. The repeat encounter made the first moment look less like a one-off gesture and more like a relationship built on mutual recognition.
Gutiérrez has also reportedly interviewed Lionel Scaloni, Jude Bellingham, Cristian Romero and James Rodríguez during the tournament. His growing presence shows how mixed-zone journalism can reward persistence even when access is uneven.
The next storyline to watch is whether Gutiérrez’s questions continue to reach football’s biggest names - and whether his work prompts better access for disabled journalists long after Messi’s World Cup campaign ends.