{"id":289681,"date":"2023-09-04T08:20:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T08:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=289681"},"modified":"2023-09-04T08:20:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T08:20:41","slug":"lionel-messis-bodyguard-grabs-pitch-invading-fan-around-neck-in-inter-miami-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/soccer\/lionel-messis-bodyguard-grabs-pitch-invading-fan-around-neck-in-inter-miami-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi’s bodyguard grabs pitch invading fan around neck in Inter Miami win"},"content":{"rendered":"
Lionel Messi's bodyguard was forced into action when a pitch invader disrupted Inter Miami's 3-1 MLS win over Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
One of the security measures Miami president David Beckham took following Messi's arrival stateside was to employ a former Navy Seal and MMA fighter to keep track of him on the touchline during games.<\/p>\n
That investment proved worthwhile on Sunday (September 3) as a supporter stormed the pitch and made a beeline for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, 35, during the second half of their away clash at LAFC.<\/p>\n
The fan in question, who was wearing one of Messi's old Barcelona shirts, just about reached his idol before being intercepted by the highly-trained Yassine Chueko.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Lionel Messi has ex-Navy Seal and MMA fighter bodyguard who follows him around the pitch<\/b><\/p>\n
He sprinted at a frightening pace, grabbing the pitch invader around the neck and dragging him away from Messi before the far slower security had even arrived on the scene.<\/p>\n
Chueko, who is employed by Miami to be at every game, served in Iraq and Afghanistan and is quickly becoming a celebrity in his own right, boasting 178k Instagram followers.<\/p>\n
Do you think the fan should have been allowed to have his moment with Messi? Let us know in the comments section below<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
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Messi, meanwhile, continued his dominant start to life in the US. He didn't add to his tally of 11 goals in 11 games for his new side, but he did set up two to help them to their 10th win in that time.<\/p>\n
One of the assists saw him thread a delightful pass to fellow former Barca star Jordi Alba, while the other put the ball on a plate for Leonardo Campana to score a third late on before Ryan Hollingshead's consolation for LAFC.<\/p>\n
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It was Messi's first game in Hollywood, which saw a star-studded list of celebrities flocking to the stands – including Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle.<\/p>\n
Also on the guest list was Tom Holland, Liam Gallagher, LeBron James, Edward Norton, Jason Sudeikis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez and Owen Wilson, to name just a few.<\/p>\n