MLS
How much does Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami bodyguard earn?
Messi is one of the biggest celebrities in the US, and his bodyguard is a necessary addition to his entourage.
Yassine Cheuko, Messi’s personal bodyguard, is reportedly on a huge, multi-million dollar wage to take care of the Argentine star.
Lionel Messi’s arrival in the United States, unsurprisingly, causes a media storm like no other whenever he kicks a ball. The same goes for the fans, who have turned up every week in huge numbers to see their new start. We have even discovered that Selena Gomez, Prince Harry and the bloke from Titanic are childhood Inter Miami fans, which is lovely to see.
Seen from another perspective, the player’s in particular, this new level of crazy I-must-see-Messi situation has led to the Argentine hiring a bodyguard to follow him round wherever he goes. Yassine Cheuko is an ex-US soldier and it’s not surprising when you take a look at him.
Who is Messi’s bodyguard?
He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and frankly, I wouldn’t get within 30 metres of him. He is a mixed martial arts specialist as well as being a taekwondo and boxing expert. By all accounts, it seems like Messi has picked the right guy.
The bodyguard has caught the eye as he patrols the touchline of the Inter Miami pitch as Messi walks up and down, eyeing his every move. Against LAFC, a fantastic game which Miami won 1-3, Cheuko even showed his incredible 0-60mph acceleration when he shot onto the field of play to intercept a fan who had chanced his luck at meeting Messi. The boy in the Barça shirt certainly felt the hit when the man who has trained all his life to fight speared him at top speed. Messi didn’t even flinch.
How much does Messi’s bodyguard earn?
A job as unique as Messi’s personal saviour comes with a price: according to various reports, Cheuko earns a salary of $3.5 million per year to take care of the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner and is part of a group of 50 people who are all tasked with keeping their eyes firmly locked on the number 10.