- Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, has been in the news lately for several reasons.
- He challenged Logan Paul to a fight, either MMA or boxing, just last week.
- Cheuko will no longer be on the sidelines at Inter Miami matches, where he was tasked with watching for pitch invaders, and Messi isn’t happy about it.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, has turned into a minor celebrity as of late. He has garnered attention for keeping pitch invaders from getting to the soccer superstar. Cheuko has also gotten into it with Logan Paul, who is also embroiled in a legal battle with Messi.
However, Cheuko’s access to the touchline during MLS games will be limited going forward. Inter Miami has decided that the bodyguard won’t be on the sidelines anymore, which has caused issues with Messi.
Cheuko spoke to House of Highlights, a social media channel, and said he isn’t allowed to patrol the touchline anymore at Inter Miami matches.
Cheuko stated:
“I was in Europe for seven years working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I arrived in the United States, and in 20 months of work, 16 people have already invaded the pitch. There’s a huge problem here. I’m not the problem. Let me help Messi.”
The Athletic followed up and revealed that Messi isn’t happy about the changes, even though Cheuko will still be allowed to be in the locker room, as well as the media mixed zone.
“It’s been the case all year long. (Lionel and Yassine) are quite upset about it — (Yassine) has always been really critical of all of the other security (across MLS) and suggested that if they were good at their jobs, he wouldn’t even be needed.”
Messi moved to MLS in 2023 and has raised the international profile of the league. However, there has been an increase in pitch invaders as North Americans were rarely ever able to see Messi. He is one of the most recognizable figures on the planet, and it’s safe to say that he doesn’t feel protected without Cheuko.
Cheuko Still Looking to Fight Logan Paul
It also means Cheuko is still in the news, and he caused waves last week as he stated he wanted to fight Logan Paul. The YouTuber/boxer/professional wrestler challenged Messi to a boxing match as the two are battling in the courtroom over their sports-drink brands.
Cheuko stepped in to challenge Paul to make it a fairer fight, adding fuel to the fire:
“You said I need attention. You need attention. You start with this, you start to talk about soccer players and make a fight with them. So now we are going to stop talking because I know you are a YouTube product. I come from the streets, I’m a street product, and people on the street don’t talk a lot. So now stop talking. I see you on the ring, man.”
Paul said that he would fight Cheuko, but there is nothing set in stone yet. There are no odds up at boxing betting sites for a potential fight, but don’t be surprised if these lines pop up soon. You haven’t heard the end of Yassine Cheuko, who is becoming the most famous bodyguard in the world.