During Inter Miami’s match against Sporting Kansas City, Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Chueko, made headlines for his swift action in tackling a pitch invader. The incident occurred in the closing minutes of the game, which ended in a 3-2 victory for Inter Miami at Arrowhead Stadium.
In the 91st minute, a fan wearing a No. 10 Inter Miami jersey ran onto the pitch and approached Messi, attempting to take a photo with the football icon. Chueko quickly intervened, executing a decisive tackle that brought the invader to the ground. The fan managed to snap a photo with Messi before being apprehended by stadium security.
Chueko, a former United States Army soldier with experience as a Navy Seal in Iraq and Afghanistan. His vigilant presence at Major League Soccer games is well-known. Tasked with protecting Messi due to his global popularity, Chueko has become a familiar figure on the sidelines.
Recommended by Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, Chueko leads a team of 50 personnel dedicated to ensuring Messi’s safety and that of his loved ones. Despite the interruptions caused by pitch invaders, Messi delivered an exceptional performance, scoring a remarkable goal in the 51st minute to propel Inter Miami ahead.
Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes praised Messi’s skill, highlighting his ability to create opportunities and punish opponents. Messi’s influence was evident throughout the game, including his precise assist to Diego Gomez earlier in the match.
Despite the distractions caused by the pitch invaders, Messi remained focused and showcased his talent in front of a record-breaking crowd at Arrowhead Stadium, which included notable figures like Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid.
Leave a Reply