Inter Miami bans Messi’s bodyguard from the sidelines, and now we’re all in danger

Inter Miami – Look, I get that soccer’s a beautiful game and all, but have you seen the American fan base when Lionel Messi comes to town?

It’s not just families and soccer dads sipping iced lattes—there’s also a whole subculture of unhinged dudes who think sprinting onto the field for a selfie mid-corner kick is a good idea.

Enter Yassine Cheuko—former Navy SEAL, combat sports expert, and the walking embodiment of “don’t even think about it.” He’s been Messi’s personal security blanket since the Argentina legend landed in Miami.

The guy doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t even blink. If you’ve watched Inter Miami play, you’ve seen him patrolling the sidelines like a lion watching his cubs.

So what does Inter Miami do? They ban him from the sideline. Because… what, he was doing his job too well?

Inter Miami bans Messi’s bodyguard from the sidelines, and now we’re all in danger

Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has been banned from protecting the Argentina forward from the touchline during Inter Miami matches. https://t.co/NUWsyPB9aB

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 1, 2025

Let’s be clear—this wasn’t an MLS decision. According to reports, it was Inter Miami’s own call to pull Cheuko off the pitch and “reassign” him elsewhere. He’s still on the payroll, but he’s no longer allowed to stalk the touchline like the absolute menace he is. And that’s a problem.

[Source] – “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. I’m not the problem. Let me help Messi.”

An Inter Miami team spokesperson told ESPN it was a club decision, not MLS’, to not have Cheuko on the sidelines. However, he remains an employee of the club and part of the security detail.

16 PEOPLE IN 20 MONTHS? Does Inter Miami realize what that means?

America is built different—in all the worst ways.

This country is a fever dream of impulsive decisions, and putting Messi on a soccer field in the middle of it without his human security tower nearby is asking for chaos. One minute he’s lining up for a free kick, the next minute someone from row 23 is scaling the barriers like it’s WWE SmackDown.

Meanwhile, Cheuko’s standing somewhere behind a velvet rope, probably trying to look casual while also ready to snap a collarbone if need be.

👀👀

Lograron derribar a Yassine Cheuko, guardaespaldas de Lionel Messi, en Panamá 😅 pic.twitter.com/22TUtZNtUI

— Luis Omar Tapia (@LuisOmarTapia) February 3, 2025

Side Note: Could you imagine Philadelphia Eagles legend Big Dom storming onto the field after an illegal hit on Jalen Hurts and truck-sticking a defensive lineman? I could and that’s exactly what I would expect from a body guard. I guess when Hurts has Jordan Mailata, it’s already handled.

Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw both ejected after altercation on the sidelines

Anyways, Messi’s bodyguard isn’t a guy who gets in the way. This is a guy who makes sure nobody gets in your way. He doesn’t even blink during Messi’s warmups. He’s built like a creative player in UFC 5 and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why Inter Miami thinks it’s a good idea to hand him a ban from the sidelines.

👮‍♂️🇦🇷 During Inter Miami matches, Leo Messi is followed by an ex-US Navy Seal for maximum security.

The bodyguard is a martial arts, boxer and taekwondo expert. He can be seen even following him during matches. pic.twitter.com/Gl8n1UzHXV

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 24, 2023

If anything, Inter Miami should be giving him backup, not pulling him off the front lines.

So why do this?

Maybe it’s optics. Maybe they don’t want the image of a bodyguard tailing Messi like a Secret Service agent while he jogs toward the locker room. But let me ask this—do you want good optics or do you want Messi to not get trucked by a guy in cargo shorts and a vape pen?

Messi’s Bodyguard is the GOAT

Inter Miami needs to swallow their pride, scrap the PR polish, and put the man back where he belongs—right on the sideline, lurking behind the fourth official, eyes scanning the stands like Liam Neeson in Taken.

Because the moment someone else jumps the fence and security moves like they’re jogging through Jell-O, they’ll realize something that should’ve been obvious from the start:

Cheuko wasn’t the problem. He was the solution. Head on a swivel, Messi. Inter Miami might have just signed your death wish.

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