Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, faces a Messi bodyguard suspension for the remainder of the Leagues Cup 2025 after engaging in improper conduct following Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Club Atlas on July 30 at DRV PNK Stadium.
The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee banned Cheuko from all technical areas and fined Inter Miami an undisclosed amount after he entered the pitch without credentials to intervene in a post-game altercation, pushing Atlas players away from Messi.
The incident, which has sparked debate about security roles in soccer, comes three months after Cheuko’s earlier MLS and CONCACAF touchline ban.
The Leagues Cup, a tournament pitting MLS and Liga MX clubs, issued a statement citing Cheuko’s unauthorized entry into restricted areas as a violation of 2025 tournament regulations. The altercation occurred after a tense match, where Marcelo Weigandt’s stoppage-time goal, assisted by Messi, secured Inter Miami’s win, overturning an initial disallowance via VAR.
A viral video on social media showed Cheuko, wearing a black Miami T-shirt, shoving Atlas defender Jorge San Martín during a heated post-match handshake, escalating tensions.
Atlas’ Matheus Doria criticized the intervention, stating, “He’s there to protect Messi from fans, not to get involved between players,” emphasizing that such actions overstep boundaries.
Cheuko, who has guarded Messi since his Paris Saint-Germain days, is a familiar figure on Inter Miami’s sidelines, often intercepting pitch invaders to ensure the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s safety.
Contrary to earlier claims, Cheuko is not a former Navy SEAL or professional MMA fighter, but his proactive approach has drawn scrutiny.
In April 2025, Inter Miami barred him from touchline duties during MLS matches after he claimed a ban for stopping 16 pitch invasions in 20 months.
His latest suspension, effective through the tournament’s August 31 conclusion, restricts him from technical areas, though he remains part of Inter Miami’s security team.
The incident has reignited discussions about player safety versus overreach by security personnel. Doria’s press conference remarks highlighted a broader concern: while protecting players from fans is acceptable, interfering in player disputes is not.
“The board will handle what can and can’t be done,” he noted, reflecting trust in the Leagues Cup’s disciplinary process. Social media reactions on Twitter show divided opinions.
Some fans argue Cheuko’s actions were justified to shield Messi, while others, including a Reddit thread on r/MLS, call his involvement “unprofessional,” citing potential risks to player safety.
Inter Miami’s fine adds to recent MLS controversies, including Messi and Jordi Alba’s one-match suspensions for skipping the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, a decision Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas called “draconian.”
Messi, who assisted both goals against Atlas despite feeling “sluggish” from the ban, apologized to Atlas player Cóccaro, gifting him a jersey in a gesture praised as classy.
The team now faces Necaxa on August 3, aiming to secure a top-four spot in the Leagues Cup group stage. Cheuko’s absence from technical areas could impact Messi’s security setup, especially given the star’s global draw, which attracts frequent fan intrusions.
The suspension underscores broader challenges in managing high-profile players in MLS. A 2025 BeIN Sports report noted Messi’s frustration with the league’s strict rules, which some argue hinder his performance. Cheuko’s earlier comments about pitch invasions in the U.S. compared unfavorably to Europe, suggesting systemic issues in MLS security protocols.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s strong start, bolstered by new signing Rodrigo De Paul, praised by Messi for his “hustle,” keeps them in contention. The Leagues Cup’s disciplinary action, while firm, aims to maintain fairness, but critics question whether targeting a bodyguard overly restricts team operations.
As the tournament progresses, the Messi bodyguard suspension highlights the delicate balance between player protection and adherence to regulations.
With Inter Miami pushing for a knockout stage berth, the focus remains on Messi’s on-field brilliance, but Cheuko’s ban serves as a reminder of the off-field challenges accompanying global stardom in soccer’s evolving North American landscape.
