Meet Yassine Chueko, Lionel Messi’s Bodyguard in Miami

Meet Yassine Chueko: This week, Yassine Chueko, Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, became an internet sensation.

After Messi had assisted Inter Miami’s equaliser against FC Cincinnati in the 97th minute of Wednesday’s U.S. Open semi-final, several spectators observed Chueko running down the touchline.

Meet Yassine Chueko, Lionel Messi’s Bodyguard in Miami

However, he had no intention of celebrating the team’s goal with Messi and the rest of the squad.

Keep the bad guys out with the help of Chueko. Because of his unprecedented fame, Messi is a prime target in the United States.

According to reports, David Beckham, president of Inter Miami, personally recommended Chueko to be Messi’s bodyguard. Chueko’s role on the team includes shadowing Messi around the perimeter of the pitch. This will allow him to stop any opposing players from reaching the Miami captain on the pitch.

Messi is accompanied by Chueko whenever he goes out in public, including before and after games and on family outings like grocery shopping.  Below is a clip from earlier this month, before to Miami’s 4-1 win over Philadelphia Union. During Messi’s stop in Miami, Chueko is seen waiting at the side of the squad van.

Chueko doesn’t seem to notice when players like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets pass by, but as soon as Messi exits the car, he goes into action.

A former Navy SEAL, Chueko reportedly saw action in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  On Instagram, where he has 114,000 followers, he primarily shares videos of his boxing and martial arts workouts. Multiple mixed martial arts bouts have featured Chueko.

Who is Lionel Messi’s bodyguard at Inter Miami?