Lionel Messi's bodyguard no longer on sidelines for Miami games

Lionel Messi's bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, is frustrated. He can no longer protect Messi from the sidelines during Inter Miami matches.

Cheuko became well-known after videos showed him watching the crowd closely. His goal was to stop potential pitch invaders from harming Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore," Cheuko said. He spoke in an interview with House of Highlights.

"I worked in Europe for seven years," he continued. "In that time, only six people invaded the pitch."

"In just 20 months here, 16 people have done so," he added. "There's a huge problem here. I'm not the problem. Let me help Messi."

An Inter Miami spokesperson told ESPN that this decision was made by the club. It was not a decision from Major League Soccer (MLS).

Despite this change, Cheuko remains an employee and part of the security team.

MLS stated earlier that its protocols for team security guards have not changed. Each team has designated security guards near their benches on the field.