Yassine Cheuko’s name might not be familiar but his face certainly should be. He’s Lionel Messi’s minder, the personal bodyguard who sticks to him like glue.

 Run onto the pitch in search of a selfie with Messi and Cheuko will be there at the speed of Usain Bolt. Pose a threat, and he’s got the physique to smash an intruder into next week.

 Messi enlists Cheuko’s services because they give him peace of mind. Argentina’s finest is prone to extreme levels of attention, and the trend of fans appearing on the field for impromptu photographs has grown over the years.

 Cristiano Ronaldo fought a running battle at Euro 2024 — and over in MLS, Messi’s stature is bigger than the competition itself.

 This season, though, Cheuko has faded into the background. He’s not as visible at Inter Miami games as he was, no longer marking Messi so tightly or religiously stalking MLS touchlines.

 This week, he gave his version of why that was to the social media channel House of Highlights, saying his access to certain matches had been restricted. Here’s a flavour of his remarks:

“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’m not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe. It’s fine, I understand their decision, but we could do better.”

 Cheuko speaking publicly is an event in itself because he rarely gives interviews. He’s long been a mysterious part of Messi’s entourage, an MMA expert who was erroneously cast as an ex-Navy SEAL (rumours that Miami owner David Beckham hired him for Messi weren’t true either).

His activity did extend to an online spat with influencer and wrestler Logan Paul, who claimed Cheuko was sponging off Messi’s reputation. The pair have apparently arranged to fight each other.

Cheuko’s comments, some of which have been removed, generated a slew of reports claiming he had essentially been blacklisted from the MLS scene. So has he been shut out? And if so, why would anybody want to remove Messi’s self-employed line of defence?

MLS franchises and stadiums employ their own security staff, as does Concacaf for competitions such as its Champions Cup. From Messi’s perspective, however, his desire for an extra layer of protection is understandable. His sheer celebrity makes him vulnerable — and Cheuko claims there have been 16 instances of pitch invitations involving the Argentina captain since he joined MLS in 2023.

MLS could not verify that number but in response to a request for comment from The Athletic, it said it had not changed any rules affecting Cheuko. Concacaf declined to comment on the record, but Miami confirmed it was their decision to restrict Cheuko’s movement. He remains a club employee, bound by MLS protocols. 

A source inside Miami’s dressing room told our writers that Messi wasn’t happy about this. “Lionel and Yassine are quite upset,” said the source, who requested anonymity over not being authorized to discuss the matter. “Yassine has always been really critical of all of the other security and suggested that if they were good at their jobs, he wouldn’t even be needed.”

It’s possible that Miami are pulling rank. This might be their way of saying that the cult of Cheuko, or specific security for one individual, isn’t working for them. Whatever the truth — and I’d recommend grabbing a coffee and checking out the full story — it’s another layer in the ever-evolving theatre around the world’s greatest footballer.

-The Athletic

Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Cheuko said he has been banned from protecting the Argentine forward from the touchline during Inter Miami matches.

Cheuko gained widespread recognition after social media videos showed him closely watching the crowd to stop potential pitch invaders from harming the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner.

 Friendly – Hong Kong v Inter Miami – Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong – February 4, 2024 Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and teammates sit on the substitute bench during the match as Lionel Messi security guard Yassine Cheuko looks on REUTERS/Lam Yik/File Photo

“They don’t allow me to be on the field anymore,” the bodyguard was quoted as saying by 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.”

Major League Soccer said on Tuesday that its protocols regarding team security guards had not changed and multiple sides had designated team security guards that are stationed near team benches on the field.

Inter Miami have been contacted for comment.

-Reuters

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Lionel Messi watched from the bench as 10-man Inter Miami held on for a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

The Argentine was not used by coach Javier Mascherano in a game where Miami spent much of the game on the back foot after goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was sent off in the 38th minute.

It marked the third straight game that Messi failed to feature for Miami after he did not travel to Houston for last week’s 4-1 win in MLS and then watched the 2-0 victory over Jamaica’s Cavalier in the CONCACAF Champions Cup first-leg game on Thursday.

Mascherano has said he is managing the workload of the 37-year-old World Cup winner and while his absence has been a disappointment for fans, Miami have not paid a price on the field.

Charlotte, coached by Englishman Dean Smith, the former Aston Villa manager, were the better team throughout the encounter but proved unable to convert their plentiful possession into real goal chances.

The visitors offered early indicators of where their threats lay, with Wilfried Zaha, the former Crystal Palace winger, showing flashes of his skill on the left flank while Israeli winger Liel Abada’s pace was evident on the opposite wing.

Miami were creating little, with Ashley Westwood dictating play in the centre of midfield for the North Carolina side, and they found themselves in trouble when Ustari received a straight red after he raced off his line and brought down Zaha.

The teams went in goalless at the break but it took just seconds for Miami to strike after the interval with a delightfully constructed goal.

Tadeo Allende back-heeled to Luis Suarez and the veteran returned the ball with a chip which the Argentine chested down and then buried into the bottom corner.

It was the fourth goal this season, in all competitions for Allende who joined Miami on loan from Spanish club Celta Vigo.

Miami opted to defend their lead, sitting deep and in numbers, frustrating Charlotte who struggled to break through their defence.

Their best chance came in the 65th minute when Zaha whipped in a wicked cross from the left but Patrick Agyemang’s glancing header flashed wide of the post.

The crowd chanted for a Messi cameo, but Mascherano opted for defensive changes as the South Florida side held firm to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

-AFP

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