Sports journalist Marcelo Burgos has marked a significant milestone for Paraguayan journalism by joining ESPN, one of the most influential sports networks in the region, as a commentator. In an interview with national television, the broadcaster detailed the process that led him to the international channel, a path defined by persistence, professional networking, and a debut performance that secured his position for the group stages of continental tournaments.
During the conversation, Burgos explained that the opportunity was not spontaneous, but was instead the result of a process that began several years ago. While the first contact occurred approximately three years ago, the pivotal moment came in March 2023 during a meeting in Buenos Aires with the network’s head of production.
A journey of persistence
“The opportunities have to be created. They did not call me from one day to the next: I sought the meeting, I maintained the connection, I helped when they asked me and when the test came, I was prepared,” the journalist recounted at Paraguay TV. According to Burgos, the initial response during that meeting was less than encouraging. The network explained that due to television market dynamics, Paraguay “did not move the needle.”
However, far from being deterred, Burgos decided to maintain contact and strengthen his professional relationships within the network’s environment. Several months later, this connection was reinforced in Istanbul during the final of the UEFA Champions League, where he met with former footballer and commentator Diego Latorre, a personal friend of the Paraguayan journalist. This encounter helped to reactivate dialogue with the production team.
Building professional connections
Over time, the professional relationship solidified when The Walt Disney Company, the owner of ESPN, requested support to cover friendly matches with local reporters. Burgos assisted in the coverage of Club Olimpia’s matches, including a friendly between Olimpia and Boca Juniors held in San Nicolás de los Arroyos.
“The work went very well and they thanked me. Days later, they gave me a heads-up that there could be news this year,” he recalled.
The formal invitation finally arrived via a WhatsApp message one week before the match between Club Olimpia and Sportivo Trinidense. This broadcast would serve as his definitive test. Burgos provided commentary from Asunción using the remote Lucy Live system, working alongside narrator Pablo Pons. The journalist described this first experience as a decisive examination of his abilities.
The debut that served as an examination
“I took the debut as my thesis. I played it safe in the first few minutes, added contextual data, and gradually found my rhythm. The halftime break allowed me to relax,” he related. The reaction to his performance was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Burgos mentioned that he received a vast number of messages from colleagues and viewers alike. “I received more messages than on my birthday,” he joked.
The official confirmation arrived the following day, affirming that he would continue as a commentator for the group stages of the continental tournaments broadcast by the network. For Burgos, the impact of his debut extended beyond a personal achievement, as it represents recognition for Paraguayan sports journalism as a whole.
Paraguayan sports journalism on a regional stage
“It moved people to hear a Paraguayan voice on a regional screen,” he expressed. During the Paraguay TV programme, the hosts highlighted that this is a symbolic event for the profession, making him one of the first Paraguayan commentators to join an international sports network of this scale.
As a personal gesture, minutes before his debut, Burgos published a photograph taken during his visit to the ESPN offices in 2023, on the same day he had received the initial negative response. The post was intended to illustrate the value of perseverance. He summarised his philosophy by stating, “It is not enough to wait for the call: you have to look for it, nurture the connections and arrive prepared. The opportunity and the preparation have to meet.”
For now, Burgos is confirmed to commentate on home matches, although he noted that he will continue to push for opportunities to participate in international broadcasts as well. The journalist believes his experience can serve as a message for other professionals in the country. “Preparation and opportunity have to meet: that is the moment,” he concluded.
