When it comes to professional soccer players, they don’t come much bigger than Lionel Messi. The former Barcelona legend and current Inter Miami forward has made a name for himself over the years as perhaps the greatest player of all time. However, his current involvement in the game seems to have turned into a circus, with fans entering the pitch at random intervals to get close to Messi, and then having that dream taken away as they’re tackled by his bodyguard.

Sporting Kansas City Incident

As Inter Miami were taking on Sporting Kansas City at the weekend, play was interrupted by a fan running towards Messi. Although he seemed to have a massive head start, he quickly found himself tackled by the Argentine superstar’s bodyguard, who rapidly made his way across the pitch to intercept the would-be selfie-taker and demonstrate why he was hired in the first place.

Who Is Messi’s Bodyguard?

Messi’s bodyguard is Yassine Chueko. He’s a former Navy SEAL and served in Iraq and Afghanistan before going on to become a mixed martial artist. He was employed following Devid Beckham’s recommendation for Messi to protect himself because he’s undoubtedly the most high-profile soccer player to have joined a US team. 

Nevertheless, it’s somewhat strange to see Chueko following Messi along the touchline as if he’s man-marking him in the game. It’s not something that soccer fans around the world are used to seeing – but Messi is no ordinary soccer player.