The Venezuelan journalist in a wheelchair who made Messi and Bellingham stop everything at the World Cup
The 30-year-old Venezuelan founded his own channel, brought his father as cameraman, and became a phenomenon in the mixed zones of the 2026 World Cup.
Messi was greeting fans outside Argentina's hotel when he noticed a reporter in a wheelchair. He stopped. He asked the supporters to be careful. And he answered two questions, completely off-script. It was June 10, before a single ball had been kicked at the 2026 World Cup — and Manu Gutiérrez already had the moment that would go viral around the world.
The 30-year-old Venezuelan doesn't work for any major broadcaster. He founded his own channel, MVP Sports, in 2023, after knocking on many doors that stayed shut. His cameraman is his father, Jesus, who also received a FIFA credential to accompany him. "I'm his driver, bodyguard, sponsor, assistant, and his father," Jesus told ge, laughing.
Manu's story started early and with obstacles that would have broken anyone. He was born with motor paralysis, grew up watching football because he couldn't play it, and by the age of 15 was already producing a sports radio show in Punto Fijo, his hometown. He studied social communication remotely, from Venezuela to Alabama, and nearly gave up when power cuts across the country wiped out his coursework. He graduated in February 2021.
At the World Cup, beyond Messi, he managed to stop Bellingham — who was walking past without speaking to anyone after England's victory over DR Congo. The Englishman heard Manu mention Venezuela, days after a devastating earthquake had struck the country, and changed his mind. He spoke in Spanish to the Venezuelan people. "I have a special fondness for the Bellingham one," Manu told ge.
Pedri, Enzo Fernández, Jhon Arias. The list of stars who have stopped for him only keeps growing — and MVP Sports' social media accounts are accumulating followers, including Brazilians.
But the reporter doesn't hide the physical toll. "It isn't normal," he admitted. "Staying seated demands a tremendous physical effort. It's twelve hours, actually." And he adds: "But that doesn't mean it isn't possible."
Manu wants his presence at the World Cup to open doors for other journalists with disabilities. "There is space here for all kinds of journalists," he said. The 2026 World Cup already has its most unlikely — and most necessary — character.