AS one of the biggest names in football, it comes as no surprise that Lionel Messi has his own bodyguard.
Meet Yassine Chueko – the bodyguard for the Argentine professional football player.
GettyLionel Messi’s bodyguard jumps in to save the footballer from a fan on the pitch[/caption]
Who is Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Chueko?
The bodyguard of Lionel Messi goes by the name Yassine Chueko.
He is a former soldier of the United States Army and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Navy Seal, according to La Nacion.
Chueko is on Instagram and has shared several videos of himself, involved in Mixed Martial Arts, and also trying his hand at fights.
He has over 217,000 followers, including Messi and his former teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, Sergio Ramos.
How long has Yassine Chueko been the bodyguard of Lionel Messi?
Chueko was recommended by former England captain and co-owner of Inter Miami, David Beckham to be Messi’s bodyguard.
However, he is not the only one with the responsibility to keep the footballer safe.
There is reportedly a team of 50 members, led by Chueko, which works round the clock to ensure Messi is kept safe during his time in Maimi.
During matches, his responsibilities include patrolling the pitch’s perimeter and monitoring Messi’s every movement.
Chueko has been an internet sensation ever since Messi arrived in Miami.
His unwavering commitment to ensuring the Inter Miami captain’s safety has been recognised by fans.
On October 8, 2023, the bodyguard was seen prowling the touchline at matches, ready to pounce if any supporter tried to get close to the footballer.
Following the end of the game against Cincinnati, one young supporter raced onto the pitch in the hope of getting a selfie with Messi.
However, they were quickly intercepted by Chueko as he jumped in to lead away the young fan.
Despite rushing in to stop the fan Chueko was praised for his reaction after then letting the child meet his hero and take a selfie.
Fans also noticed the bodyguard sprinting up to the touchline during the game to remain close to the Argentina star.
How much does Yassine Chueko earn as Lionel Messi’ bodyguard?
Chueko is reportedly paid $250,000 (£198,000) annually to watch over Messi.
However, other reports suggest his salary could actually be upwards of $3 – $3.5million.
As he is providing round-the-clock protection, it’s likely the higher end of the scale.
Chueko has also been offered a salary of up to $50,000 to become My.Club’s Martial Arts Ambassador.
In an attempt to entice him further, My.Club Vice President Mike Ford said that he could “earn even more by selling content, performing custom requests, or providing 1:1 consultations via video calls”.
In an open letter on the company’s website, Ford said: “Please get back to me at your earliest convenience. I’d love to hire you ASAP.”