Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has had his access to the pitch changed by Major League Soccer and Concacaf, he said in a since-deleted video, creating a situation that has made the global soccer superstar displeased.
Cheuko said in the clip, posted by House of Highlights, that he wasn’t allowed on the field anymore after he stood guard for the first two seasons of Messi’s tenure in MLS, shadowing the Inter Miami striker up and down the field during play.
“I was in Europe for seven years working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch,” Cheuko said. “I arrived in the United States, and in 20 months of work, 16 people have already invaded the pitch. There’s a huge problem here. I’m not the problem. Let me help Messi.
“I love MLS and Concacaf, but we have to work together. I love helping. I’m not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe.
“It’s fine, I understand their decision, but I think we could do better.”
Cheuko had been a somewhat mysterious presence in Messi’s orbit, but he garnered plenty of attention during the superstar’s first two years in North America whenever he had to run onto the field to stop an overzealous spectator.
While MLS told The Athletic in a statement that it had not changed any policies regarding team security personnel, Inter Miami confirmed to the outlet that it was a team decision to limit Cheuko’s match-day movements.
The apparent absence of Cheuko from the pitch has created an issue with Messi to the point where he’s made his displeasure known.
“It’s been the case all year long,” a source told The Athletic. “[Lionel and Cheuko] are quite upset about it — [Cheuko] has always been really critical of all of the other security [across MLS] and suggested that if they were good at their jobs, he wouldn’t even be needed.”
Pitch invaders haven’t appeared to be too big of an issue this season in games involving Messi compared to his previous two years in the states.
Cheuko garnered attention for his intense protection of Messi and when he’s had to spring into action to grab a fan before they could reach their intended target.
In one clip that went viral in 2023, Cheuko was seen sprinting onto the field to stop a fan by grabbing him around the neck and putting him in a headlock before pushing him away.
Other security eventually arrived on the scene and escorted the fan away.
