A fan sprinted on the field Sunday right at star Lionel Messi during Inter Miami’s MLS match at Los Angeles FC.
Luckily, Messi’s bodyguard was faster, as he intercepted the fan just as he reached Messi. The bodyguard wrestled him away and handed him over to security.
The fan, wearing colors from Messi’s longtime team, Barcelona, may have just been wanting to hug the international star. But anyone who remembers the terrible on-court stabbing of tennis star Monica Seles 30 years ago this year knows that these encounters can turn tragic.
🚨😭| Lionel Messi’s security guard was taking no chances when a fan ran towards him on the pitch.
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 4, 2023
Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Chueko, has become somewhat of a celebrity in his own right. A former Navy Seal who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, he’s a martial arts expert who has competed in MMA events.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham hired Chueko to protect Messi from overzealous fans — or worse — and everything definitely went according to plan Sunday.
Messi had two assists in Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory. Not surprisingly, the LAFC crowd featured dozens of celebrities, from Leonardo DiCaprio to Prince Harry.
The sports world quickly reacted to the incident.
Lionel Messi Internet-famous bodyguard took out a fan who ran onto the field to touch Messi. pic.twitter.com/o9XHsFBx7P
— Football Ant (@SportsDT1) September 4, 2023
Protecting the GOAT is a dream job.
— BEBETO (@Ugajiprince) September 4, 2023
A pitch invader just ran and made contact with Lionel #Messi𓃵 before being grabbed by security and taken off the field: pic.twitter.com/DCipMiYLpP
— Kamran Nia (@kamran_nia) September 4, 2023
The 🐐 ought to be protected, but is that part of his deal with Inter Miami FC? 🤔
— Emmanuel C (@icegist4) September 4, 2023
Just woke up to tell you all that it feels so good to be a fan of Lionel Messi
— ⭕La Noblesse🏝️🥷🇦🇷 (@chizo_alaribe) September 4, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.