Inter Miami superstar, Lionel Messi, will no longer have his personal bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, protecting him from the touchline during Major League Soccer (MLS) matches after the league decided to take full control of matchday security. Cheuko, a former Navy SEAL, has gained widespread attention for his vigilant presence around Messi during games, often intercepting pitch invaders attempting to get too close to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. His actions, which included physically removing intruders from the field, became a regular sight as fans surged toward Messi in the excitement of his MLS debut and subsequent matches.
However, with the league's decision to standardize security procedures, Cheuko's access to the field has been restricted. According to the new regulations, the former Navy SEAL is now only permitted to be present in the locker room and mixed zones during matchdays, which significantly limits his ability to protect Messi during the matches themselves. While the decision aims to streamline security operations across all MLS stadiums, it marks a notable shift in how high-profile players like Messi are protected during games.
“They Won’t Let Me Help Messi” – Cheuko Responds
Reacting to the league’s decision, Cheuko expressed his frustration with the restriction, arguing that security at MLS games remains a major concern and that his absence from the touchline could pose a risk to the safety of players like Messi. In an interview with Spanish media, Cheuko commented on the situation, saying, “They don’t allow me to be on the field anymore. I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch.” He continued, highlighting the stark contrast between his experience in Europe and the U.S., adding, “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.” Cheuko’s words underline his concern over the frequency of pitch invasions in MLS and the potential dangers of unregulated access to players on the field, particularly given the heightened attention on Messi since his arrival in the league.
Despite the league's new rule, Cheuko confirmed that he will continue to work as Messi’s personal bodyguard outside of stadiums, where he will remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of the global football icon. However, his limited involvement during matches could raise questions about the adequacy of security measures at MLS venues, especially given the heightened risk associated with Messi’s presence in the league.
Why MLS Made the Decision
MLS officials have decided to take full control of matchday security across all its stadiums to ensure a standardized approach to handling potential pitch invasions and player protection. This decision comes in the wake of multiple high-profile pitch invasions, some of which saw Cheuko intervening physically to protect Messi from overzealous fans. In these instances, Cheuko’s actions were widely seen as necessary to safeguard one of the most famous athletes in the world, who is often the target of extreme attention from fans eager to get close to him. The move to take security duties out of the hands of individual teams and place them under the direct control of MLS aims to ensure consistency in how players are protected, regardless of the stadium or match involved. While Inter Miami had previously allowed Cheuko to operate on the touchline, the new league directive places the responsibility for crowd control squarely on MLS security teams moving forward.
Messi’s Security Challenges in the U.S.
Since Messi's arrival in Major League Soccer, the attention surrounding him has been unprecedented, with fans flocking to his matches in record numbers and often attempting to get close to the Argentine superstar both on and off the field. The heightened level of enthusiasm has led to numerous security challenges, with pitch invasions becoming more frequent as the demand to interact with Messi has intensified. In September 2023, Cheuko was seen sprinting across the pitch to stop a fan who attempted to hug Messi during a game. That incident was just one of several similar occurrences, all of which raised concerns about the adequacy of security measures at MLS venues. Cheuko’s presence on the field served as a deterrent to potential intruders, but with the league now in control of matchday security, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be sufficient to prevent further breaches and ensure the safety of players like Messi in the future.
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