With the exponential increase in attention Inter Miami has since received Lionel Messi joined the team, there is also the additional need for security.
Messi’s fans are numerous, relentless and persistent, that’s why Inter Miami was forced to increase its staff both on match days and during training.
With crazed fans trying to get as close to Messi as possible, even in extremes, the club must provide you with a safe working environment.
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The soccer player has had to deal with this for years, especially in his home country, where fans hail him as some kind of god, but his arrival in the United States meant a new challenge for his new club. Given the significant Argentine population in Miami, where it is estimated that one-third of all Argentines “imported” from the United Statessecurity saw a necessary increase.
Who is Lionel Messi’s bodyguard at Inter Miami?
The most notable addition to Inter Miami’s security team is a guard specifically assigned to follow Messi down the wing while the Argentine is on the field. Treated according to The nationfrom an ex frogman American name Yassine Cheuko.
Cheuko has been affectionately nicknamed by Messi’s fans as “DePaul’s Brother”, in relation to Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, who has defended Messi on more than one occasion on the pitch.
👮♂️🇦🇷 During Inter Miami matches, Leo Messi is followed by an ex-US Marine for maximum security.
The bodyguard is an expert in martial arts, boxing and taekwondo. He can even be seen following him during matches. pic.twitter.com/Gl8n1UzHXV
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 24, 2023
Cheuko has also seen alongside or behind Messi when he is not on the pitch, from the touchline to the dressing room tunnel.
How much security have Inter Miami and MLS added since Messi’s arrival?
He Inter Miami has significantly increased security at its facilitiesother than being limited to following Messi.
They have strengthened the staff on match days at the DRV PNK stadium, and have also added extra safety during training at the club’s facilities. These individuals are visible during games at Ft. Lauderdale in the parking lot and around the complex.
This happens after a pitch invader entered the pitch during Inter Miami’s 4-0 win at home against Atlanta United, just Messi’s second game for the club. Apparently, the privateer went straight for Messi as he was leaving the pitch, entering from the opposite end and covering two-thirds of the field width before the guards stopped him.
Miami also added additional fences in their stadium and training facilities, to keep out prying eyes and make it more difficult for fans to climb over the barrier.
⚠️ New security measures!
Inter Miami is taking new security measures and extending the fences outside the Drv Pnk Stadium with a taller and curved bar.
The fences were quite climbable and jumpable before. It won’t be that easy anytime soon.#InterMiamiCF #Mesi📃 pic.twitter.com/fcsYxIiCnp
– Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) August 4, 2023
Other MLS teams they’ve also been forced to increase security every time Inter Miami comes to town. From New York Red Bulls, for example, they informed the journalists that the club was works with the Inter Miami team to assist with security measures for Messi’s MLS debut on August 26, including stadium security.
Red Bulls general manager Marc de Grandpre said overall security increased by 25% and? Security at the stadium had been increased by 50% for the game.
