Lionel Messi’s bodyguard was called into action during Inter Miami’s triumph over Los Angeles FC.
Messi’s team returned to the field on Sunday and secured a 3-1 victory over LAFC in a Major League Soccer match.
Inter Miami, based in Florida, found the back of the net through Facundo Faroas, Jordi Alba, and Leonardo Campana.
While Messi didn’t score in the match, he did provide two outstanding assists, setting up Alba and Campana.
The presence of numerous celebrities, including Prince Harry, LeBron James, Will Ferrell, and Selena Gomez, added to the spectacle of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s performance.
Some enthusiastic fans in the stadium attempted to get as close as possible to Messi, with one supporter even invading the pitch.
Lionel Messi’s now-famous bodyguard sprinted to protect the Lion from this fan 🙌pic.twitter.com/MxTh5Z2vKD
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 4, 2023
In the 73rd minute, a fan donning a Barcelona shirt with Messi’s name and number on the back sprinted onto the field of play.
As he approached the 36-year-old, the superstar forward’s bodyguard, Yassine Chueko, sprinted and managed to intervene as he grabbed the person by the neck before dragging him away.
Security eventually made their way to the scene of the incident and ushered the fan off the pitch.
Chueko was also called into action following the game as he guided Messi to the tunnel, with a fan throwing a bottle in his direction in shocking scenes.
This is so not done!!!! Whoever tried to throw the bottle at Leo Messi should be banned! 😡😡😡😡😡😡 pic.twitter.com/utQS1drfpn
— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) September 4, 2023
Chueko, a former US soldier, is reportedly a personal selection of Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.
He is believed to have served as an ex-Navy SEAL, with deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and possesses substantial experience in mixed martial arts (MMA).
Chueko has expertise in various martial arts disciplines and frequently shares training videos on his Instagram account, where he counts Messi and Sergio Ramos among his 113,000 followers.