Messi's bodyguard says MLS no longer allows him on field

Lionel Messi's personal bodyguard says Major League Soccer restricted his access and no longer permits him to be on the touchline or enter the field of play during Inter Miami matches.

Yassine Cheuko has become a fixture of Miami games since Messi joined the club in 2023. The bodyguard has gained widespread recognition and developed something of a cult following as videos spread on social media showing him patrolling the sidelines and racing to intercept pitch invaders seeking photos with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

But Cheuko's presence hasn't been as pronounced in 2025.

Cheuko said MLS has taken full control of Messi's on-pitch security and that he's only allowed inside the locker room and mixed zones going forward.

"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," Cheuko said during a rare video interview with House of Highlights, as reported Tuesday by Reuters and other outlets.

House of Highlights, a social media channel, has since removed clips of the interview from its platforms.

"I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I came to the USA, and in just 20 months, 16 people have already done so. There's a huge problem here; let me help Messi," Cheuko said.

"I love MLS and CONCACAF, but we have to work together. I love helping," he added. "I'm not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe. It's fine, I understand their decision, but I think we could do better."

Messi and Cheuko are "quite upset" about the change in the latter's matchday access, sources close to Inter Miami told Pablo Maurer and Felipe Cardenas of The Athletic.

"(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," said the source.

An MLS spokesperson told Maurer and Cardenas on Tuesday that the league hasn't changed its policies regarding team security personnel.

Cheuko, who various media outlets have erroneously identified as a former U.S. Navy SEAL, said he'll continue to work as part of Messi's personal security team outside the stadiums.