Yassine Cheuko, who serves as Lionel Messi’s personal security guard, has received a ban covering the entire duration of the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament.
The suspension follows an incident where he accessed the playing area without proper accreditation after Inter Miami’s encounter with Atlas.
The tournament’s disciplinary panel determined that Cheuko engaged in misconduct by entering areas designated as restricted without possessing the required event credentials.
His actions occurred following the final whistle when he attempted to intervene in conversations between players from both sides.
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Yassine Cheuko, who serves as Lionel Messi’s personal security guard, has received a ban covering the entire duration of the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament
The suspension means Cheuko cannot access any technical areas for the competition’s remaining fixtures. Inter Miami has also received a financial penalty, though the amount remains undisclosed.
According to ESPN, the incident unfolded when Cheuko stepped onto the pitch following the 30 July match.
He attempted to disrupt an exchange between players from both clubs and physically touched members of the Atlas squad during his intervention.
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Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has previously revealed he’s banned from MLS matches
The disciplinary committee’s official statement confirmed: “After the July 30 Inter Miami CF vs. Club Atlas match, a member of Inter Miami’s club delegation displayed improper conduct by entering restricted areas without an official event credential.”
The committee added: “In accordance with the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended the individual involved from all technical areas for the remainder of Leagues Cup 2025 and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami CF.”
Atlas defender Matheus Doria addressed the controversy during his post-match press conference, expressing concern about the bodyguard’s unauthorised intervention.
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“I understand that Messi’s bodyguard is there to protect Messi from a possible entry by a fan, I don’t know, but between players, he doesn’t have that permission,” Doria stated.
The defender emphasised that whilst protecting players from spectators was acceptable, intervening in player interactions crossed a boundary.
“As long as it protects not only Messi but the other players, and the physical integrity of the players who are there, that’s fine. But if it’s for other issues, no one will agree,” he explained.
Doria expressed confidence that tournament organisers would handle the situation appropriately.
This marks the latest controversy for Cheuko, who revealed in April that MLS and CONCACAF had previously barred him from pitch access.
Speaking to House of Highlights, he claimed: “They don’t allow me to be on the field anymore.”
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Inter Miami beat Atlas 2-1 in their recent showdown at the end of July
The trained MMA fighter, personally selected by Inter Miami president David Beckham when Messi joined the club, compared his American experience unfavourably to Europe.
“I arrived in the United States, and in 20 months of work, 16 people have already invaded the pitch. There’s a huge problem here. I’m not the problem. Let me help Messi,” he stated.
Recently, Cheuko has also attracted attention for offering to fight Logan Paul after the influencer challenged Messi.
