“Yassine Cheuko has been banned from the sidelines at MLS (American professional soccer league) matches to protect Messi. But this personal bodyguard is still seen accompanying his client at every match. He stands at the entrance to/from the tunnel to the locker room, ready to act when necessary to protect the Argentine star from threats,” said Spanish newspaper Marca .
In the match where Inter Miami lost 0-1 to Los Angeles FC in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals, Messi received a lot of hostility from the opponent’s fans. Many Los Angeles FC fans hung banners with images mocking the famous player, along with the name “Pessi” as a wordplay to mock him.
Faced with the possibility that Messi would be harassed by opposing fans before, during and after the match, Yassine Cheuko suddenly appeared, through the image of this bodyguard recorded in a clip posted by a user of social network X.
Messi had left the pitch after his team’s defeat with an “unfriendly” face. He went straight to the locker room, passing many people trying to get autographs or record clips to post on social networks. A rare image since the famous player came to the US to play, according to Marca . But there is a reason, because Messi has been given a hostile image by opposing fans.
However, after receiving support from Yassine Cheuko, Messi returned, restrained himself and signed autographs for some children present in the tunnel of the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. He also happily took souvenir photos with a few other fans, before leaving next to his familiar personal bodyguard, Marca added.
Messi and Inter Miami suffered their first loss of the 2025 season, after 9 previous unbeaten matches (8 wins, 1 draw). Therefore, the Argentine star was not very happy, especially in the match against Los Angeles FC, the only goal scorer Nathan Ordaz (minute 57) could have been sent off in the first half for hitting an Inter Miami player, but only received a yellow card after the referee reviewed VAR.
In the second leg, which will take place at 7am on April 10, Inter Miami will need to win by a large margin against Los Angeles FC to have any hope of turning things around and advancing to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Interspersed with this match, Messi and his teammates will continue to play in MLS against Toronto FC at 6am on April 7, both at home.
