There is hardly a more popular athlete in the US than Lionel Messi. Tens of thousands of people go to the legend of world football, and some even try to touch their idol. True, the club took care of Leo’s calmness – he is accompanied everywhere by a personal security guard.

And woe to those who encroach on the inviolability of the Argentine!

Twisted and pulled

Messi’s bodyguard was noticed at one of the Inter Miami matches. A large, athletic man walked along the edge of the field and followed every movement of the Argentinean. Several games in a row went “idle” for him, but in the last one the guard still had to get involved.

The episode in question took place in the match between Inter Miami and Los Angeles in the 73rd minute. One of the fans broke through the cordon and ran onto the field. But as soon as he touched the idol, the football player’s bodyguard attacked him. He twisted the overzealous fan and dragged him aside. The guard’s run was impressive in its swiftness, but it would have been better for everyone if he had prevented the attack a few seconds earlier. Who knows what was in the mind of the perpetrator. It seemed that the man was intent on knocking Messi down.

Fan of Lionel Messi on the field / Photo: © REUTERS / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The star football player himself reacted to the incident as calmly as possible. By that time, his team was winning 2-0, and the Argentine himself made an assist. Until the end of the game, Leo assisted his partners one more time, and even a goal conceded at the end did not spoil his mood. As a result, Inter won with a score of 3:1.

Barcelona fan and friend of Khabib

Messi’s bodyguard now attracts attention no less than the footballer himself. The foreign press studied his biography and found some interesting points.

The former US Special Forces fighter Yassin Chueco is responsible for the mental and physical peace of the Argentinean. The man has combat experience of serving in “hot spots”. The American is also not indifferent to sports – he was professionally engaged in boxing and mixed martial arts and even had several fights according to MMA rules. By the way, one of his good friends is the legendary fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Yassin Chueco / Photo: © Megan Briggs / Stringer / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

The Daily Mail claims that Chueco became the bodyguard of Lionel Messi under the patronage of David Beckham, who is developing the Inter Miami franchise. Many indicators were taken into account, including physical and psychological preparation, the ability to stay in public, non-conflict and at the same time rigidity. After long consultations, Bax made a choice in favor of Yassin, and Leo supported him. One of the factors was Chueco’s sympathy for Barcelona, ​​which is associated with the brightest years of Messi’s life.

By the way, the bodyguard has already taken part in one of the matches – however, more in the role of a ballboy. In a meeting with Nashville, Lionel went to take a corner, and Chueco gave him the ball with a very elegant pass. Fans jokingly called Yassin Leo’s new partner and praised his technique.

At the same time, the guard does not work alone. Chueco has about 50 people who follow Messi’s every move outside the football field. They have an extremely clear task – to protect the Argentinean and his family from any incidents.

Miracles on the field

Thanks to the help of Chueco and his team, Leo can feel safe. His concentration on football helps him work wonders in the North American league.

Inter Miami, which during the season was a hopeless outsider, is gradually getting out of the hole. Under Messi, Beckham’s club is unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions. The team retains a theoretical chance of reaching the MLS playoffs, which was unimaginable a month ago.

Lionel Messi / Photo: © REUTERS / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lionel himself enchants in almost every match. In the League Cup, he scored ten goals in seven games. In MLS, he has a goal and two assists in three games. Plus there is a good match in the US Cup, where he also gave two assists. Messi, one might say, is in full swing with a second youth – otherwise his phenomenal statistics cannot be explained.

The main thing is that no one and nothing interferes with him. All security issues are taken care of by professionals. And Leo remains to please the audience on the football field.