If you’ve watched an Inter Miami game lately, you might have noticed one gentleman who always seems to be by Lionel Messi’s side. No, we’re not talking about the GOAT’s Argentine teammate, Rodrigo De Paul. We’re referring to Messi’s 24/7 Inter Miami bodyguard and former Navy Seal Yassine Chueko.
Who is Yassine Chueko, Lionel Messi’s bodyguard?
Yassine Chueko is an ex-Navy Seal and MMA fighter responsible for protecting the world’s greatest player. And like a hawk, he does, on and off the pitch.
David Beckham hand-picked the soldier turned bodyguard to protect his most prized asset after a fan stormed the pitch to meet Messi in June. Apple and the MLS are keen to shadow Messi, too. The World Cup winner single-handedly boosted Apple’s MLS streaming service subscriptions 80 times.
“Security will obviously be enhanced. Players will be bussed in, going through a tunnel. All of those security protocols are already prepared both for here and away. And it’s not only for our games,” said Herons co-owner Morge Mas.
“It’s going to be an everyday occurrence and something we witnessed and I thought handled very well when (Messi) was here with Argentina before the World Cup.”
Most recently, 34-year-old Chueko sprinted across the pitch during Sunday’s LAFC match to intercept a Messi-fanatic at the mid-way line.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard followed the player down the touchline two weeks ago after the magician assisted his teammate for the equalizer against FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi-final.
The Herons are still undefeated since the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner the Florida club joined last July. And Chueko, who purportedly heads a team of 50 to protect the Argentine, has been a part of the remarkable ride.
Messi returns to international break this week with Argentina to take on Ecuador and Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers. And chances are, Cheuko will follow the champion wherever he goes.
Photo: Twitter/crewsmat10
