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A dramatic incident occurred in the Leagues Cup match between Inter Miami and Atlas, in which the former won by 2-1. The tournament features clubs from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. The game contested on July 30 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, ended with a stoppage-time goal from Marcelo Weigandt, assisted by Lionel Messi, which was initially disallowed but overturned by Video Assistant Referee (VAR). This decision led to heated exchange involving players and staff from both teams. Tensions escalated during the post-match handshake as well where Lionel Messi’s bodyguard also got involved.
Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has been suspended for the remainder of the 2025 Leagues Cup and Inter Miami CF fined an undisclosed amount following an incident of “improper conduct”. The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee issued a statement on Friday, citing Cheuko’s unauthorized entry onto the pitch to intervene in a post-game altercation between players, an action that breached tournament regulations.
In a video that is getting viral throughout the social media, when the post-match handshake got tense Cheuko field wearing a black Miami t-shirt entered the field without an official event credential, reportedly shoving Atlas defender Jorge San Martín, while attempting to separate players involved in the scuffle. Cheuko has been Messi’s bodyguard since his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
Bodyguard protects Messi from fans, not players, he doesn’t have that permission: Atlas defender Matheus Doria
While expressing concern over the actions by Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Atlas defender Matheus Doria said, “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.” Doria’s comments reflect a broader sentiment that while player safety is paramount, unauthorized interventions by non-players are unacceptable.
Yassine Cheuko reportedly, an ex-US Navy Seal was handpicked by Inter Miami president David Beckham when Messi joined the club in 2023. He is often seen patrolling the sidelines to prevent pitch invasions targeting the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
This is not the first time that he is involved in such an incident. In a recent incident he notably restrained a 14-year-old fan attempting to reach Messi. In the month of April 2025, Inter Miami decided to bar him from the sidelines during MLS matches, limiting his access to the locker room and mixed zones.
