Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, has been suspended for the remainder of the 2025 Leagues Cup following an incident during Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Club Atlas on July 30, 2025, at Chase Stadium. The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee announced on August 1, 2025, that a member of Inter Miami’s delegation, later confirmed by ESPN as Cheuko, displayed “improper conduct” by entering the pitch without an official event credential after the match. The committee stated, “In accordance with the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended the individual involved from all technical areas for the remainder of Leagues Cup 2025 and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami CF.”
The incident followed a heated post-match confrontation sparked by Messi’s stoppage-time assist to Marcelo Weigandt for the winning goal, initially disallowed but overturned by VAR. Tensions escalated during post-game handshakes, with Cheuko intervening by pushing Atlas players, including Jorge San Martín and reportedly Matheus Doria, to separate them from Messi. Atlas defender Doria addressed the issue in a press conference, stating, “I understand that Messi’s bodyguard is there to protect Messi from a possible entry by a fan, but between players, he doesn’t have that permission… The board and those in charge of the Leagues Cup will take charge of what can and can’t be done.”
Cheuko, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and MMA fighter handpicked by Inter Miami president David Beckham in 2023, has faced prior disciplinary action. In April 2025, Inter Miami barred him from sidelines during MLS matches due to frequent interventions, though he remained part of the club’s security team. Cheuko previously expressed frustration, noting to House of Highlights, “I worked in Europe for seven years in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. In the U.S., in 20 months, there have been 16 invasions.”
Messi, who returned from a one-match suspension to provide both assists in the Atlas win, later apologized to Atlas player Matías Cóccaro for his intense celebration, gifting him a jersey. Inter Miami now faces Necaxa in their next Leagues Cup group stage match on August 2, 2025, as the tournament, featuring MLS and Liga MX teams, progresses toward the knockout stages. Cheuko’s suspension limits his presence in technical areas until the tournament concludes on August 31, 2025.
source: African Publicity
