NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Football legend Lionel Messi was tackled to the ground during a friendly match in Puerto Rico on Thursday.
It happened around the 88th minute of an exhibition tour match. Several supporters jumped onto the pitch at the Juan Ramón Loubriel stadium. Messi’s team, Inter Miami, was playing against Independiente del Valle of Ecuador in Bayamón when a fan ran towards the center circle and grabbed Messi by the waist before the two were taken down by a security guard.
Messi appeared unharmed. The Argentine star immediately got up and walked towards another part of the pitch.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
A fan is chased by security guards after jumping onto the field to greet Lionel Messi during a friendly match between Independiente del Valle and Inter Miami on February 26, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)
Messi’s security guard situation has been a subject of fascination for fans for years, especially after he arrived in the United States to join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
His main bodyguard, Yassine Chueko, went viral in previous years for hovering vigilantly over Messi while the star played soccer. However, in 2025, Inter Miami changed Chueko’s role to prevent him from being on the pitch to protect Messi from pitch invaders.
Chueko expressed his concern and frustration over the decision, warning that it could result in Messi being tackled.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard eliminated overzealous fans. (Getty Images)
“They don’t allow me to be on the field anymore,” the bodyguard said in an interview with the House of Highlights social media channel.
“I spent seven years in Europe, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I came to the United States and in just 20 months, 16 people have already done it. There’s a huge problem here. I’m not the problem. Let me help Messi.”
An Inter Miami team spokesperson previously told ESPN that it was a decision of the club, not MLS, not to have Cheuko on the sidelines. However, Cheuko remains an employee of the club and is part of the security services, and accompanies Messi on a daily basis.
Now, in early 2026, an invader has managed to reach Messi on the pitch and bring the 38-year-old superstar to the ground, in Cheuko’s absence.
Thursday’s match was originally scheduled for February 13, but was postponed because Messi experienced leg discomfort during the previous exhibition match against Barcelona SC of Ecuador.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
A fan is stopped by security guards after jumping onto the field to greet Lionel Messi, during a friendly match between Independiente del Valle and Inter Miami on February 26, 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)
Santiago Morales and Messi scored in the 16th and 70th minutes respectively to give Inter Miami a 2-1 victory.
Miami, which started its MLS season with a 3-0 loss to LAFC, will face Orlando City next Sunday.
Related article
