Latest news with #YassineCheuko
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lionel Messi's bodyguard banned from Leagues Cup after entering field in postgame confrontation
Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko apparently took his job a little too seriously at the Leagues Cup. After a postgame confrontation in which Cheuko ran onto the field to push some Atlas players away from the Inter Miami star, the League Cup disciplinary committee announced it was banning him from all technical areas for the rest of the tournament, which runs through Aug. 31, and fining Inter Miami an undisclosed amount of money. The full statement: After the July 30 Inter Miami CF vs. Club Atlas match, a member of Inter Miami's club delegation displayed improper conduct by entering restricted areas without an official event credential. In accordance with the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended the individual involved from all technical areas for the remainder of Leagues Cup 2025 and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami CF. ESPN identified the member of Inter Miami's delegation as Cheuko. The incident occurred on Wednesday after Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Atlas. Several players congregated at midfield, with Cheuko entering the fray to physically break up the confrontation. He is the bald man with a short beard and black Miami T-shirt in the video below. Atlas players were not happy about Cheuko's intervention, with defender Matheus Doria calling for the rules to be applied in this case via ESPN: "We already know that our board works very well and will take care of the issue. I understand that Messi's bodyguard is there to protect Messi from a possible entry by a fan, I don't know, but between players, he doesn't have that permission," said Doria. "It's not up to us to say much or give our opinion on the matter, but the board and those in charge of the Leagues Cup have already seen it and will take charge of what can and can't be done because as long as it protects not only Messi but the other players, and the physical integrity of the players who are there, that's fine. But if it's for other issues, no one will agree, but it's not up to me to do anything." Cheuko has been a fixture at Messi's side since his days at Paris Saint-Germain. Contrary to past reports, he is not a former Navy SEAL or professional MMA fighter, but he has entered the field in the past to protect the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. In April, Inter Miami banned Cheuko from being on the sidelines during MLS matches, though he remains an employee of the team.
Daily Mail
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Lionel Messi's bodyguard hit with new suspension three months after revealing he was banned from MLS
Lionel Messi 's bodyguard has been suspended for 'improper conduct' for the remainder of the Leagues Cup, according to reports. Following an incident in Inter Miami's game against Atlas this week, the disciplinary committee confirmed that a member of staff from the MLS club had been suspended. A statement read: 'After the July 30 Inter Miami CF vs. Club Atlas match, a member of Inter Miami's club delegation displayed improper conduct by entering restricted areas without an official event credential. 'In accordance with the Leagues Cup 2025 Tournament Regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended the individual involved from all technical areas for the remainder of Leagues Cup 2025 and issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami CF.' ESPN have since reported that the individual in question is none other than Messi's personal bodyguard Yassine Cheuko. Cheuko was seen entering the pitch - after the final whistle - to break up a discussion between the two groups of players and made contact with individuals from Atlas. One Atlas star then addressed the issue in his post-match press conference and insisted that Cheuko did not have permission to enter the field. Defender Matheus Doria said: 'We already know that our board works very well and will take care of the issue. 'I understand that Messi's bodyguard is there to protect Messi from a possible entry by a fan, I don't know, but between players, he doesn't have that permission. 'It's not up to us to say much or give our opinion on the matter, but the board and those in charge of the Leagues Cup have already seen it and will take charge of what can and can't be done. 'Because as long as it protects not only Messi but the other players, and the physical integrity of the players who are there, that's fine. But if it's for other issues, no one will agree, but it's not up to me to do anything.' After serving a one-match suspension, Messi returned to action for Inter Miami in the game against Atlas and provided assists for both goals in the 2-1 victory. The news comes three months after Cheuko claimed that he had been banned for MLS and CONCACAF matches. Speaking to House of Highlights, he said in April: 'They don't allow me to be on the field anymore. I was in Europe for seven years working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. 'I arrived in the United States, and in 20 months of work, 16 people have already invaded the pitch. There's a huge problem here. I'm not the problem. Let me help Messi. 'I love MLS and CONCACAF, but we have to work together. I love helping. I'm not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe. It's fine, I understand their decision, but I think we could do better'. Cheuko, a trained MMA fighter who was personally chosen by Inter Miami president David Beckham upon the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's arrival in the US. In a bizarre turn of events, he recently doubled down on his desire to batter Logan Paul in the boxing ring. Paul initially challenged Messi to a fight amid the legal battle between their drinks brands Prime and Mas+. Cheuko offered to take Messi's place, but Paul reportedly turned down a £11.3million ($15m) boxing match and instead challenged him to a bare knuckle fight in the streets of Puerto Rico.
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
VIDEO: Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko vows to 'smash' Logan Paul after signing $15m contract for boxing match at Inter Miami stadium as ex-Navy SEAL accuses WWE star of 'hiding'
WHAT HAPPENED? Tension between Yassine Cheuko and YouTube sensation Paul has been brewing for some time. The latter jokingly challenged eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi to a fight in their ongoing PRIME vs Mas+ hydration drinks legal battle. THE BIGGER PICTURE Cheuko quickly offered to step in for Argentine GOAT Messi, with a challenge laid down to Paul. A war of words has continued on social media since then, with both sides accusing the other of being nothing but big talk. THE GOSSIP Cheuko has now drawn up a contract, worth $15m (£11m), and put pen to paper. He is waiting to discover whether Paul is willing to lace up a pair of gloves and step into the ring - with it suggested that their feud could be settled at Inter Miami's home stadium. WHAT CHEUKO SAID Cheuko said in a video on Instagram: 'Lolo, look what I got. Lolo, when I'm going to smash you, you're going to have your name on your face, Lolo. Look, everything is ready - gloves are ready, contract ready. Everybody's waiting for the fight and you still hiding. 'I got messages from everywhere - Africa, America, Europe, everywhere. And you still hiding, Lolo. Sign the contract and don't tell me to come to Puerto Rico, we're gonna fight here in Miami at Chase Stadium. So sign the contract, I'm waiting Lolo. Everybody's waiting, the world is waiting.' WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI? Questions are being asked of how much longer Messi will spend on the books at Inter Miami, with no extension option in his contract being triggered as yet. There are reports to suggest that teams in the Saudi Pro League are readying big-money offers for the all-time great.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lionel Messi's bodyguard fires back at Logan Paul after YouTuber-turned-WWE star challenged him to a bare knuckle street fight in Puerto Rico
Lionel Messi 's bodyguard has doubled down on his desire to batter Logan Paul in the boxing ring. Yassine Cheuko, a trained MMA fighter, has warned Paul - who he calls 'Lolo, the king of excuses' - that he will knock him out and urged him to 'sign the contract'. Paul initially challenged Messi to a fight amid the legal battle between their drinks brands Prime and Mas+. Cheuko, a rumoured former Navy SEAL, offered to take Messi's place, but Paul reportedly turned down a £11.3million ($15m) boxing match and instead challenged him to a bare knuckle fight in the streets of Puerto Rico. Clearly the bodyguard, who was personally hired by Inter Miami owner David Beckham to look after Messi, is unimpressed. He posted a video on Instagram of himself training topless and called out Paul directly. 'Listen Lolo, you're so cute with your blonde hair,' he said. 'Why are you getting nervous? Stop the drama Lolo. [Via - @YassineCheuko 's IG] — IFN (@IfnBoxing) May 9, 2025 'So now you find another excuse. Last time you said you're a WWE superstar, and now you told me, come to Puerto Rico to fight in the streets without gloves or a mouth guard. 'Lolo! Stop your drama, Lolo. You already know we cannot do that. You are not a gangster, Lola, and I am not a kid. We are not gonna fight on the street. 'So now, sign the contract, Lolo. Stop excuses. What is [your] next excuse? You gonna tell me you're an astronaut, let's fight to the moon? 'Lolo! Stop excuses, sign the contract. But I promise, I'm not gonna knock you out in the first round. Take it easy, Lolo.' All this kicked off due to the legal wrangle between Paul and KSI's drinks brand Prime and Mas+, a 'positive hydration' alternative. Messi revealed his hydration drink in June 2024, with many quick to point out the similarities between it and Prime. According to a lawsuit filed by Mark Anthony International, the distributor for Mas+, in October, Prime instantly reached out with claims that Messi's drink had violated its trade dress by copying the design. Mas+ filed a lawsuit against Prime in a bid to get a declaratory judgement to confirm Messi's drink was not copying KSI and Logan Paul's. He instead invited the bodyguard to a bare knuckle fight in the streets of Puerto Rico But in November, Prime filed a countersuit against Mas+, claiming the footballer's new drink infringes Prime's trademark due to its design and tagline similarities. Speaking at the time, Paul said: 'Brother, you copied us. Everyone saw it. They saw what you did. Everyone notices it and then we got sued. Hold on, wait, what? This ain't justice. 'So we countersued, obviously. If you can't beat the best, you gotta be the best. But that's illegal. That's trademark infringement. 'We're holding him accountable, and it's harassment? All jokes aside, I will consider dropping this if Logan Paul vs Messi [gets made in] 2025. I'll see you in the ring, brother.' However, to the dismay of the internet personality, Messi's bodyguard Yassine Chueko - who is a rumoured former Navy SEAL - has offered to take the fight instead. According to The Sun, he said: 'Messi doesn't even know who this guy is. If Logan really wants a fight, he can fight me, not a football player.' Cheuko has received much attention from the media over the last 18 months for his ability to stop intruders who try to approach Messi on the Inter Miami turf. However, despite snuffing out as many as 16 pitch invasions, he claimed last month that he has been banned by the MLS. Mas+ and Prime Hydration are involved in a legal battle over the similarities between the drinks Speaking to House of Highlights, he said: 'They don't allow me to be on the field anymore. I was in Europe for seven years working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. 'I arrived in the United States, and in 20 months of work, 16 people have already invaded the pitch. There's a huge problem here. I'm not the problem. Let me help Messi. 'I love MLS and CONCACAF, but we have to work together. I love helping. I'm not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe. It's fine, I understand their decision, but I think we could do better'.
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Messi's Bodyguard Banned from Touchline at Inter Miami Games
Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has been banned from protecting the Argentine forward from the touchline during Inter Miami matches. The former Navy SEAL gained widespread recognition after social media videos showed him closely watching the crowd to stop potential pitch invaders from harming the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner, Reuters reported. Major League Soccer has now decided to take full control of matchday security and Cheuko will only be permitted in the locker room and mixed zones. "They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," the bodyguard told Spanish media. "I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I came to the USA and in just 20 months 16 people have already done so. There's a huge problem here, let me help Messi."
