A recent incident involving Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard has once again drawn attention to security protocols within Major League Soccer, leading to his second suspension in a short period. The disciplinary action comes after an event during Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match against Atlas, highlighting ongoing concerns about unauthorized access to restricted areas on the field.

The specific infraction occurred when a member of Inter Miami’s club delegation, later identified as Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Cheuko, entered restricted technical areas without the necessary official event credentials. This breach of protocol, observed during the high-profile Leagues Cup fixture, prompted an immediate review by the tournament’s disciplinary committee.

In response to the unauthorized entry, the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations were invoked, resulting in a formal suspension. The Disciplinary Committee confirmed that the individual involved would be barred from all technical areas for the remainder of the Leagues Cup 2025 season, with Inter Miami CF also incurring an undisclosed fine for the transgression.

Following the match, an Atlas player publicly addressed the situation during a press conference, emphasizing that Cheuko lacked the requisite permission to be present on the field of play, especially among active players. While acknowledging the bodyguard’s role in protecting Messi from potential fan intrusions, the Atlas star underscored the clear boundary for interactions between players.

This latest development follows Messi’s own return to Inter Miami’s lineup, where he delivered two assists in a crucial 2-1 victory against Atlas. His bodyguard, a constant presence during matches, had previously faced a one-match ban, underscoring a pattern of behavior that has now led to a more significant penalty.

Yassine Cheuko had previously voiced his frustrations regarding the frequency of pitch invasions in the United States, indicating that he had encountered multiple unauthorized individuals on the field since arriving in the U.S. He publicly stated his desire to assist in improving stadium security, despite his own recent suspensions.

Chosen personally by Inter Miami’s president upon Lionel Messi’s arrival in the United States, Cheuko is a highly trained MMA fighter. His role is to provide close protection for the celebrated football star, a task that frequently places him in close proximity to the field during games.

The recurring incidents involving Messi’s bodyguard underscore the challenges football leagues face in balancing high-profile player security with established matchday protocols. As Leagues Cup 2025 progresses through its group and knockout stages, all eyes will be on how clubs and tournament organizers further enforce regulations to ensure fair play and safety for all participants.