Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard was working extra duty on Saturday night with three pitch invaders attempting to get close to the global icon while Inter Miami was facing Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.
Yassine Cheuko was the talk of the internet as much as Messi had been during the 3-2 Inter Miami win after Cheuko had raced onto the field late in the game to tackle an overzealous fan that jumped onto the playing surface forcing the ref to pause the action.
The bodyguard spotted the fan during stoppage time in the second half, sprinted onto the field and right toward Messi and the incoming fan.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard tackles a fan who ran onto the field toward the Inter Miami star during a game in Kansas City on Saturday. Getty Images Lionel Messi’s bodyguard tackles a fan on Saturday. Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesExplore More
While the fan was able to reach Messi and looked like he snapped a selfie, Cheuko was there within seconds and tackled the spectator to the ground as stadium security swarmed in.
Several other fans attempted to jump onto the field, including a younger fan who was shown a little bit more restraint when security reached them.
The fan was standing next to Messi with the superstar placing his arm around the youngster.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Cheuko looks on during a game in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Jan. 29, 2024. Getty ImagesCheuko led that fan off the field by the shoulder, according to a photo of that particular instance on Saturday night.
It was quite clear that Kansas City had caught Messi Mania with the Argentine in town with his MLS club on Saturday night.
Messi wowed the crowd of more than 72,000 that were on hand at the NFL stadium with a highlight reel goal in the 51st minute to give Inter Miami a 2-1 lead.
Lionel Messi with the ball against Sporting KC on Saturday. Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesHe launched a long-range shot from outside the box that went out of the reach of Kansas City’s keeper and into the net.
Prior to that, he had a hand in setting up a goal by Diego Gomez to tie the game.
Saturday night was a chance for soccer royalty the chance to meet Kansas City royalty before the game.
Messi had the chance to say hello to Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the bowels of Arrowhead Stadium.
