Messi’s bodyguard banned from entering Inter Miami ground

Those who have closely followed Lionel Messi's performances with Inter Miami would have noticed the occasional on-field stunts from a bald, muscular man. That was Yassine Cheuko, the Argentine wizard's bodyguard, a subject of many viral videos.

It seems the Major League Soccer (MLS) has said enough is enough and banned Cheuko from running onto the grounds in his attempt to protect the world's most decorated men's footballer. According to reports, Cheuko will only be permitted in the locker room and mixed zones, while the MLS security will handle the pitch invaders.

"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," Cheuko told the Spanish media. "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, let me help Messi."

Cheuko was reportedly hired to protect Messi on the instruction of Inter Miami club president David Beckham. He began working with Messi since the World Cup winner moved to the United States in 2023 to play for Beckham's Miami.

Cheuko is of mixed Moroccan and French descent, and according to La Nacion, he fought in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the US army. Cheuko is a skilled martial artist, boxer, and taekwondo expert.