Inter Miami’s notable figure, Yassine Cheuko, who is recognized as Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, has been suspended for the remainder of the 2025 Leagues Cup following an unauthorized field entry amidst a post-game altercation. The Leagues Cup, which features teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s Liga MX, announced on August 1 that Cheuko’s actions constituted improper conduct by accessing restricted areas without an official credential.
Sources familiar with the matter, who spoke anonymously as Cheuko’s identity was not disclosed in the official statement, confirmed his involvement. Cheuko has gained attention for his role at Inter Miami matches, especially since Messi joined the club in 2023, as he often prevents fans from reaching the star player during games.
The disciplinary committee of the Leagues Cup stated that Cheuko will face a suspension from all technical areas throughout the remaining tournament and has imposed an undisclosed fine on Inter Miami CF. This incident occurred following a thrilling 2-1 victory for Miami against Atlas on July 30, where Messi played a vital role by assisting Marcelo Weigandt in scoring a previously disallowed goal that was confirmed after a VAR review.
The match was intense, featuring heated exchanges between players and coaches, with Messi even expressing his frustration toward Atlas’ Matías Cóccaro during the celebration. As the game concluded, standard post-match camaraderie turned chaotic, prompting Cheuko to get involved by physically confronting Atlas defender Jorge San Martín.
This is not Cheuko’s first controversy; back in April, he was removed from the touchline for MLS games, though Miami clarified that he would still be employed with the club. Additionally, this latest event adds to the ongoing tension between Messi’s camp and the MLS, as highlighted by a previous incident where both Messi and teammate Jordi Alba faced suspensions for skipping the MLS All-Star Game. Miami’s owner, Jorge Mas, stressed the importance of managing Messi’s workload amid a demanding schedule, indicating the player’s disappointment regarding the league’s rules about player participation.
Despite the controversies, the high stakes of the Leagues Cup provide hope for Inter Miami as they seek to navigate through these challenges and focus on achieving success in the competition.