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Chueko has continued to make the headlines as the bodyguard of the 8-time Ballon d'Or winner.
In a recent Inter Miami match, Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard, Yassine Chueko, impressed fans with his lightning-fast sprint across the pitch to stop a pitch invader.
Chueko’s reaction during Inter Miami’s 1-0 victory over Toronto over the weekend went viral on social media, drawing comparisons to some of football’s fastest players, including Kylian Mbappe.
Although Chueko’s exact speed wasn’t recorded, his swift reaction time reminded fans of Mbappe’s electric pace, and his rapid dash kept the World Cup winner safe from an eager fan.
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During the Toronto match, Chueko was stationed near the corner flag when he spotted a young fan making a run towards Messi, who was standing near the center circle.
Without hesitation, Chueko sprinted across the pitch in just seven seconds, effortlessly catching up to the fan who had a considerable head start.
While Chueko did his job by stopping the invader, Messi graciously allowed the fan to take a photo before they returned to the stands.
Yassine Chueko is a former U.S. Navy Seal with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, who has been tasked with guarding Messi throughout his time in the MLS.
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Personally handpicked by Messi’s boss–David Beckham himself–his quick actions on the field ensure that Messi remains safe.
Chueko currently has more than 840,000 followers on his verified Instagram page.
Yassine Chueko: Messi’s bodyguard draws comparisons to Mbappe
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While Chueko’s speed went unmeasured, comparisons to Kylian Mbappe are natural given the Frenchman’s impressive record.
Mbappe, one of the world’s fastest footballers, recently clocked an estimated time of 10.9 seconds over 100 meters—still over a second slower than Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds.
Although Mbappe’s pace is remarkable, this time would place him outside the top 60 on the women’s 100m all-time list.
However, Chueko’s performance, even without an official time, showcased the kind of speed required to protect Messi in real time.
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