Panama In an attempt to stop overzealous fans from running onto the pitch towards Lionel Messi, the bodyguard of Argentine star Yassine Cheuko was knocked down.
The incident took place in a friendly match between Inter Miami and Sporting San Miguelito, 3-1, at Rommel Fernandez Stadium, Panama on February 2.
When he saw a fan running towards Messi, Cheuko immediately rushed in to intervene. But the fan slipped and hit his knee, causing Cheuko to fall as well.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, he stood up and hugged Messi and said something. The fan was then grabbed by the neck and taken out by Yassine, but still laughed happily, raising his hands high in the air when he met his idol in person.
Then escorted this overzealous fan off the field. Photo: AFP
Bodyguard Yassine Cheuko slipped and fell to the ground. Photo: AFP
But immediately stood up and tried to stop the fan from approaching Lionel Messi. Photo: AFP
Yassine Cheuko hugs a fan and pulls him away from Lionel Messi. Photo: AFP
Then escorted this overzealous fan off the field. Photo: AFP
Bodyguard Yassine Cheuko slipped and fell to the ground. Photo: AFP
Cheuko is a former Navy SEAL, has combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, is good at taekwondo, boxing and has participated in several MMA matches.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham chose Chueko as Messi’s personal bodyguard because of his high level of professionalism amid the increasing number of fans running onto the pitch in recent years.
Chueko receives a salary of 3 million USD per year. His task in the match is to prevent overzealous athletes from approaching Messi or catch the jerseys that fans in the stands throw at the owner of eight Golden Balls.
The incident on February 2 was the first time this former soldier was unsuccessful in preventing fans from approaching Messi since taking on the task of bodyguarding the Argentine superstar.
Messi did not score in this match, but Inter Miami still won 3-1 thanks to Benjamin Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende and substitute Fafa Picault. Before that, Inter Miami drew 2-2 with America and 0-0 with Universitario but won both on penalties. Messi played in all three of these friendlies, contributing one goal and one assist.
Messi and his teammates will continue their pre-season with friendlies against Olimpia on February 9 and Orlando City on February 15. They will start the new season with a match against Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the first round of the CONCACAF Club Championship on February 19.
