Lionel Messi’s Bodyguard Banned From Touchline During Inter Miami Matches by Club
Yassine Cheuko, the bodyguard for Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, said Tuesday that he will no longer be permitted to patrol the touchline during Messi’s matches.
Per Reuters (h/t ESPN), Cheuko discussed the decision Tuesday, saying: “They don’t allow me to be on the field anymore.”
Inter Miami confirmed the decision to Elizabeth Flores and Safid Deen of USA Today, noting Cheuko will continue to work with the club.
Given that Messi is among the most popular athletes in the world, it has become somewhat commonplace for fans to run onto the field in an effort to interact with the Argentinian superstar.
Cheuko suggested that pitch invaders were much less of an issue in Europe than they are in the United States, saying:
“I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch.
“I came to the USA and in just 20 months, 16 people have already done so. There’s a huge problem here. I’m not the problem. Let me help Messi.”
Cheuko, who is a former Navy SEAL, recently made headlines when he publicly challenged WWE Superstar and YouTuber Logan Paul to a boxing match:
Más+, which is a drink company owned by Messi, is in the midst of a legal battle with Paul’s Prime Hydration.
Per MMAFighting.com, Más+ filed a lawsuit against Prime, alleging “anti-competitive” practices, and Prime filed a countersuit.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Paul addressed Cheuko’s challenge, telling him to “get in line.”
Paul added that if they do fight, it would be under the stipulation that Cheuko would have to drink Prime if he loses.
As for Messi and his soccer career, his Inter Miami club is in the early stages of the 2025 season, having played only five matches thus far.
Miami’s next match is a road tilt with LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday, followed by an MLS home meeting with Toronto FC on Sunday.
