Lionel Messi’s bodyguard interrupted Inter Miami’s win at Sporting Kansas City to tackle a fan as he tried to get close to the Argentine superstar.
Yassine Cheuko has been tasked with protecting Messi since the World Cup winner arrived in Major League Soccer last summer.
The bodyguard who came to Miami from Paris, who has protected Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, stalks the touchline during MLS matches.
And he was called into action on Saturday evening during the 3-2 victory over Sporting KC. In the closing minutes of the match, Cheuko sprinted onto the field, prompting the referee to stop the match.
The bodyguard had spotted a fan running from behind one of the goals towards Messi, who was looking in the opposite direction.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard tackled a fan during Inter Miami’s win over Sporting Kansas City
The fan reached Messi and appeared to try to take a selfie before Yassine Cheuko intervened
You saw him sprint onto the pitch from the sidelines as the supporter approached Messi
Before Cheuko could intervene, the supporter reached Messi and appeared to try to take a selfie with the Argentine icon. But he was promptly tackled by Chueko as stadium security also swarmed.
Several other fans also stormed the field during Saturday’s match. One young fan was tackled to the ground by security, while Messi put his arm around another boy before being led away.
Despite the distractions, Messi shone in front of Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium as Inter Miami secured a dramatic win.
With Chiefs quarterback Mahomes watching from the stands as part of a record crowd of more than 72,000 spectators, Messi scored a wonder goal and created another wonder goal in Miami’s 3-2 win.
Luis Suarez secured the three points with the winning goal 19 minutes from time as Tata Martino’s side came from behind to record a first victory in a month. The win puts Miami atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Another young fan, wearing a Messi jersey, was attacked by stadium security during the match
The World Cup winner puts his arm around a young supporter who storms the field
Cheuko and stadium security staff then removed the boy from the field at Arrowhead Stadium
