Lionel Messi‘s personal bodyguard has become famous in recent months for watching over the Inter Miami captain like a man possessed.
Yet on Saturday night, he showed he has a human side too.
After Messi and Miami’s hopes of reaching the MLS playoffs came to an end – with a 1-0 home defeat by Cincinnati ensuring their season is all but over – a young fan was seen sprinting onto the field at DRV PNK Stadium in an attempt to meet his hero.
As he made a beeline for Messi, bodyguard Yassine Chueko quickly reacted to stop the boy on his tracks.
Chueko, the former US soldier personally selected by David Beckham to protect Messi, stopped him from going any further before pulling him away from his star client.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard stopped a young fan from getting to the Inter Miami star on Saturday
But after grabbing the boy he eventually gave in and let him meet his idol on the field
However, while it is unclear whether he was urged to do so or not, Chueko then puts his arm around the boy and leads him over to Messi, who is waiting to pose for a photo and sign his Miami shirt.
The Barcelona legend then does exactly and gives him back his pen, before Chueko escorts him off the field.
Messi’s bodyguard has become somewhat of an online sensation since being recruited by Beckham, and fans quickly took to social media to heap praise on him for making the young boy’s day.
One put: ‘He’s amazing’.
Another wrote: ‘Awww! A good bodyguard there!’
‘What a legend,’ wrote a third.
While another simply said: ‘That kid will never forget this moment’.
According to La Nacion, Chueko is a former Navy Seal who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also said to have expertise in martial arts, taekwondo and boxing after participating in several MMA fights.
Inter Miami co-owner Beckham reportedly hired him specifically when searching for a bodyguard for Messi, a decision made amid the rising number of pitch invaders in recent years.
Fans were quick to heap praise on the bodyguard for his act of generosity to the fan
Yassine Chueko has become an online sensation since being hired to protect Messi in Miami
Chueko, a former US soldier, has expertise in martial arts, taekwondo and boxing and has participated in several MMA fights
Fans soon spotted Chueko watching Messi like a hawk in Miami, with the bodyguard seen patrolling the touchline during games on several occasions.
It was a disappointing night for Messi and Miami on Saturday despite his long-awaited return from injury.
After coming off the bench nine minutes into the second half at DRV PNK Stadium, the Barcelona legend was condemned to his first defeat as a Miami player after fellow Argentine Alvaro Barreal netted a late winner for Cincinnati.
Barreal’s strike means it is no longer mathematically possible for Miami to reach this season’s MLS playoffs.
