Yassine Cheuko, known as the bodyguard for Lionel Messi, has been suspended for the remainder of the Leagues Cup 2025 following an incident where he pushed a player from the Mexican team Atlas after the match against Inter Miami. Cheuko will be barred from all technical areas for the rest of the tournament due to the incident that took place last Wednesday night at Chase Stadium, as reported by a source to ESPN.
The disciplinary committee of the summer tournament, which features clubs from Major League Soccer and Liga MX, issued a statement: “Following the match on July 30 between Inter Miami CF and Club Atlas, a member of the Inter Miami club delegation exhibited inappropriate behavior by entering restricted areas without official event accreditation.” The statement continued, explaining that according to the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations, the individual involved has been suspended from all technical areas for the rest of the tournament, and an undisclosed fine has been imposed on Inter Miami CF.
The altercation occurred after Miami's 2-1 victory over Atlas, thanks to a last-minute goal by Marcelo Weigandt, assisted by Messi and Suárez. The goal, confirmed by VAR, sparked emotions, leading Messi to celebrate provocatively in front of Atlas striker Matías Cóccaro, who had previously celebrated an equalizer in front of the opposing fans. Following the final whistle, a scuffle broke out, during which Cheuko shoved rival players.
Atlas defender Matheus Doria addressed the situation in a press conference on Friday: “We trust our management to handle the matter appropriately. I understand Messi’s bodyguard is there to protect him from potential fan intrusions, but he does not have permission to intervene among players.” Doria added that while it’s not their place to comment much on the matter, the league officials will determine the appropriate actions to ensure player safety and integrity.
This is not Cheuko’s first disciplinary issue. Back in April, Major League Soccer (MLS) restricted his access to the field, a privilege he had since he accompanied Messi to each Inter Miami match. Cheuko, a former military man and martial arts expert, has been a constant presence since the Argentine star’s arrival in the United States. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the restriction, Cheuko stated in an interview with House of Highlights, “In 20 months in the United States, 16 people have entered the field seeking Leo. In Europe, in seven years, it was only six.”
Cheuko also made headlines by publicly challenging influencer Logan Paul after rumors circulated about Paul wanting to fight Messi. In a video shared on social media, Cheuko declared, “Leo doesn’t know who this guy is. If he wants a fight, he can have it with me.”
Insight into the Suspension of Messi's Bodyguard
Why was Yassine Cheuko suspended?
Yassine Cheuko was suspended for pushing a player from the opposing team, Atlas, after a match involving Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup 2025.
What actions did the disciplinary committee take?
The disciplinary committee suspended Cheuko from all technical areas for the rest of the Leagues Cup 2025 and imposed an undisclosed fine on Inter Miami CF.
How did Cheuko react to the restrictions imposed by MLS?
Cheuko expressed dissatisfaction, noting that in his 20 months in the U.S., there were 16 field intrusions seeking Messi, compared to only six during seven years in Europe.