Lionel Messi's bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, has made an impassioned plea to the MLS to reconsider the rule that now prevent him from being pitchside. Chueko has become a well-know face at games, patrolling the sidelines to keep a close eye on one of the world's most famous athletes.

It is not without reason, as several fans have confronted since moving stateside in July 2023. Those encounters have led to increasing interest in Cheuko, who now has over one million followers on Instagram, where he posts clips of his workouts. Despite his close ties to , Cheuko has recently been forced to take more of a backseat role after a change to rules.

"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," the bodyguard told House of Highlights. "I was in Europe for seven years working for Ligue 1 and the, 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's work with Messi started before the World Cup winner's move to Inter Miami. He previously worked at Paris Saint-Germain, and his spell in France predated Messi's shock move from Barcelona in 2021.

Cheuko not only stands guard during the football icon's games but is also tasked with safeguarding him and his family outside of sporting commitments. He is reportedly at the helm of a 50-strong security team and is believed to bag a staggering £193,000 monthly paycheck, amounting to a whopping £2.3 million a year.

The bodyguard is a former MMA fighter who is claimed to have a background in boxing and taekwondo, giving him the requisite skills to protect Messi on the field. It has previously been speculated that Cheuko is also a former US Navy SEAL, but this has been disputed.

"The reality is that so many people invent stories that end up causing problems for the protagonists involved," former Inter Miami boss Tata Martino told . "He had never been to the United States. He wasn't in the war or part of the US military. All of those reports about him over the past weeks are all false."

Prior to entering Messi's world, Chueko's digital footprint was relatively non-existent, which paved the way for rampant speculation regarding his background. Nonetheless, despite the challenges that accompany such high-profile duties, Chueko finds joy in his work.

"I feel like I'm part of his family, and I'm working hard to protect him," Chueko said. "Not only physically but also psychologically, because he trusts me a lot and depends on me, and I give him all my attention. He's very humble."

His desire to protect Messi also led Chueko to respond to Logan Paul, who joked that he wanted to meet the soccer star in the boxing ring due to a copyright legal battle.

"Messi doesn't even know who this guy is," Chueko said. "If Logan really wants a fight, he can fight me, not a football player."