Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami has been a significant event in the world of football.
The Argentine star joined the MLS club in the summer of 2023, along with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
The team’s director, Jorge Mas, was aware of the security risks when signing the trio and made changes before they arrived.
Inter Miami hired a personal bodyguard for Messi, Yassine Cheuko, to ensure his safety and that of his family.
Cheuko’s primary responsibility is to guarantee the safety of Messi in various settings, whether on the field, during public appearances or in his personal life.
He follows Messi up and down the field during games and even removes fans that storm the field.
Cheuko is also responsible for managing the constant media attention and adapting security protocols in different cities and cultural contexts.
Messi’s bodyguard goes to extreme lengths to protect him, escorting him at all times on matchdays and even following him on the touchline like an assistant referee.
The bodyguard has been seen running up and down the side of the field while Messi is in play, in the event that a fan runs onto the pitch to try and get to the Miami player.
He catches jerseys thrown in his direction and even escorts a couple of pitch invaders away from Messi as they desperately tried to get him to sign merchandise.
Messi fans are numerous, relentless, and persistent, and thus Inter Miami has been forced to increase its staffing both on matchdays and during public appearances.
The bodyguard’s efforts have been noticed by fans, and he has become a significant part of Messi’s entourage.
Who is Yassine Chueko?
Chueko is Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard who is responsible for ensuring Messi’s safety on and off the pitch.
He was enlisted by Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham to be Messi’s bodyguard amid the heightened craze of his MLS debut.
Chueko’s primary responsibility is to guarantee the safety ofMessi in various settings, whether on the field, during public appearances, or in his personal life.
He is a former US soldier, a Navy Seal to be precise, and one who has had combat experience, per The States Man.
Chueko is a former US soldier and a Navy Seal with combat experience, and he is an ex-MMA fighter and a ripped bodybuilder.
Not much is known about Chueko’s personal life.
He keeps a low profile and is not active on social media.
Footballers getting bodyguards
Footballers getting bodyguards is not a new phenomenon.
In the case of footballers, bodyguards are hired to ensure their safety and security, especially during public appearances, on the field and in their personal life.
One example is Messi’s bodyguard who was entrusted with safeguarding the football icon and his family during their time at Inter Miami.
Another example is Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly has a team of bodyguards to protect him and his family.
The need for footballers to have bodyguards stems from various reasons, including their high-profile status, wealth and the potential for threats from fans or other individuals.
Some footballers have been victims of attacks or threats in the past, which highlights the importance of having bodyguards to ensure their safety.
