The Leagues Cup has suspended Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, for the remainder of the 2025 tournament following an incident during Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlas on July 30.
After missing Inter Miami’s final MLS match before the break — against Cincinnati — due to a suspension handed down for skipping the All-Star Game, Lionel Messi returned for his club’s 2025 Leagues Cup opener, a 2-1 win over Atlas of Mexico.
Following the match, Messi took a sublte shot at MLS, publicly expressing frustration at not being allowed to play. But the July 30 group-stage match against Atlas also brought an indirect punishment involving the Miami captain: the suspension of his personal bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko.
The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee announced that Cheuko, who entered the field to intervene in a post-match scuffle between players from both teams, will be banned from technical areas for the remainder of the tournament.
“After the Inter Miami vs. Club Atlas match on July 30, a member of Inter Miami’s delegation displayed inappropriate conduct by entering restricted areas without proper event credentials. In accordance with the 2025 Leagues Cup Tournament Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended the individual from all technical areas for the remainder of the 2025 Leagues Cup and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami,” the league stated.
Not the first time Cheuko has been suspended
Yassine Cheuko had previously been sanctioned for similar actions. During the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match between Inter Miami and Monterrey on April 10, 2024, Cheuko was involved in an altercation between Messi and the Monterrey coaching staff, which led to his restriction from the field.
The bodyguard commented at the time on the sanction that prevented him from accompanying Messi on the field during MLS or Concacaf Champions Cup matches. “I’m no longer allowed on the field,” Cheuko stated via House of Highlights. He went on to express his frustration over the matter.
“I worked in Europe for seven years in Ligue 1 and the Champions League. In that time, only six people invaded the field. Since I arrived in the U.S., in just 20 months, there have been 16 invasions,” added the former military operative, visibly frustrated.
Cheuko didn’t stop there. “There is a huge problem here. I’m not the problem—let me help Leo. I love MLS and Concacaf, but we need to work together. I love helping. I’m not better than anyone, but I have my experience from Europe,” he added.
From: bolavip.com