Lionel Messi’s bodyguard has become the butt of a joke at Inter Miami after one of the legendary Argentine’s teammates decided to dress up as his personal security man for Halloween. Messi picked up his record eighth Ballon d’Or trophy on Monday evening in Paris after beating Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to the prize of being regarded as the best player in the world.
Messi’s heorics at the World Cup in Qatar, which finally handed him the only missing winners medal from his phenomenal career, are likely to have been the catalyst for his latest triumph, but he has also made a huge impact since he joined MLS side Inter Miami in the summer, already scoring 11 goals in just 14 appearances.
Barcelona’s all-time leading goal scorer has never been seen without his bodyguard Yassine Chueko since moving across the Atlantic to Florida and the regular sighting of the muscular bearded security expert proved to be the inspiration behind a Halloween costume donned by Messi’s teammate Robert Taylor.
The 29-year-old midfielder posted a photo on Instagram of himself in front of a swimming pool dressed in Inter Miami training gear with a swimming cap on his head and a stick-on beard.
In his post caption Taylor wrote: “Work never stops @yasstcheuko”
The photo has already attracted over 61,000 likes and hundreds of comments, including one from Chueko himself, who simply replied with two crying with laughter and hand-clapping emojis.
Messi’s personal bodyguard Chueko – a former Navy Seal – has already been called into action on several occasions, preventing over-zealous fans from getting too close to the biggest star in world football.
The 36-year-old is now three Ballon d’Or titles ahead of his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the last of his awards in 2017. Messi has now finished in the top three for the Ballon d’Or a record 14 times, finishing runner-up on five occasions.
Speaking after receiving his latest award, Messi said: “I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing.
“All of them (Ballon d’Or awards) are special for different reasons. I’m happy to get that recognition that I’m getting thanks to what we have achieved with the national team.
“This (World Cup) title we had been aiming for for so many years makes it even more special.”
