It should come as no surprise that Lionel Messi, one of the biggest names in football, has a bodyguard.
Introducing Yassine Chueko, the Argentine professional football player’s bodyguard.
Who is Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Chueko?
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard is called Yassine Chueko.
According to La Nacion, he is a former US Army soldier who served as a Navy Seal in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Chueko uses Instagram, where he has posted multiple videos of himself practicing mixed martial arts and sparring.
Along with Messi, he has nearly 217,000 followers. Sergio Ramos was Messi’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain.
How long has Yassine Chueko been the bodyguard of Lionel Messi?
David Beckham, a co-owner of Inter Miami and a former England captain, suggested Chueko to be Messi’s bodyguard.
He is not alone, nevertheless, in having the duty to ensure the football player’s safety.
According to reports, Chueko is in charge of a 50-person squad that works nonstop to make sure Messi is secure while he’s in Maimi.
His duties during games include keeping an eye on Messi’s every move and roaming the perimeter of the pitch.
Since Messi moved to Miami, hueko has become a viral craze on the internet.
Fans have acknowledged his steadfast dedication to guaranteeing the safety of the Inter Miami skipper.
The bodyguard was spotted watching the touchline at a football game on October 8, 2023, ready to strike if a fan tried to approach the player.
Once the Cincinnati game ended, a young fan hurried onto the field with the intention of taking a selfie with Messi.
Chueko, however, soon intervened to guide the little fan away and intercepted them.
Chueko was applauded for his response after letting the young fan meet and snap a selfie with his hero, despite his hasty intervention to stop the fan.
During the match, spectators also saw the bodyguard running up to the touchline in an attempt to stay near the Argentina star.
How much does Yassine Chueko earn as Lionel Messi’ bodyguard?
Chueko reportedly receives $250,000 (£198,000) a year to keep an eye on Messi.
Other sources, however, indicate that he may potentially be paid between $3 and $3.5 million.
Since he is offering security all day and all night, it’s probably on the higher end of the spectrum.
Chueko also received an opportunity to become the Martial Arts Ambassador for My.Club, which carries a salary up to $50,000.
n an attempt to entice him further, My.Club Vice President Mike Ford said that he could “earn even more by selling content, performing custom requests, or providing 1:1 consultations via video calls”.
In an open letter on the company’s website, Ford said: “Please get back to me at your earliest convenience. I’d love to hire you ASAP.”