In the world of sports and entertainment, few names shine as brightly as that of Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer. Messi’s unparalleled talent on the field has earned him countless accolades and a massive global fanbase. Yet, behind the scenes, there’s another figure who has garnered considerable attention: Yassine Cheuko, Messi’s bodyguard and confidant. He is the man that has been seen following Messi up and down the pitch, as well as off the bus and in and out of stadiums.
Leo Messi, often referred to as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) in football, needs little introduction. With a career laden with records, trophies, and a reputation for sportsmanship, Messi’s name is synonymous with excellence in the beautiful game. His off-field life, while less publicized, has still managed to captivate the media’s attention, thanks in part to his close relationship with his bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko.
Yassine Cheuko, a man of few words but significant presence, has been by Messi’s side for several years now. He’s more than just a security detail; he’s a trusted companion who ensures Messi’s safety in a world where privacy is a precious commodity. But it’s not just his role as Messi’s protector that has fueled interest in Cheuko; it’s the intriguing claim that he was once a member of one of the most elite military units in the world: the United States Navy SEALs.
Yassine Cheuko’s Background
There is not a whole lot that is known about Yassine Cheuko, or at least that can be confirmed at this point. We do know that he has extensive mixed martial arts experience as is evident from his Instagram account and he has certainly spent some time fighting professionally. Specifically, it appears he has fought and trained in Thailand.
The Alleged SEAL Background
The heart of the Yassine Cheuko mystery lies in the claim that he was once a member of the United States Navy SEALs, one of the most revered and secretive military units in the world. There has never been an official statement from Cheuko claiming this, however several media outlets have reported this and he has never refuted the claim. The claims have varied from being described only as a former American Navy Seal to one who was also deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq by numerous media outlets.
Claims of military service, especially with a unit as elite as the Navy SEALs, typically come with a burden of proof. To lend credence to the assertion that Yassine Cheuko is a former SEAL, there should be concrete evidence to support this claim. This could include military records, photographs, testimonials from fellow SEALs, or any other verifiable documentation.
Investigating Yassine Cheuko’s SEAL Status
There was nothing we could dig up that showed Cheuko was indeed a Navy SEAL. We reached out to former Navy SEAL, Don Shipley, who also confirmed Cheuko was not a former Navy SEAL.
Other media outlets, such as the Daily Mail, have reported that Cheuko is not a veteran of the American military. Yassine Cheuko did not appear in the SEAL database and “no one had ever heard of him” previous to his rise to fame protecting the Inter Miami star, according to current and former members of the Navy SEALs.
How much does Messi’s bodyguard make?
Being entrusted to protect one of the world’s best soccer players is certainly going to come with some perks. Although there is not exact confirmation of his salary anywhere, you can expect that Yassine Chueko is making anywhere from $150,000 to $3 million a year for his services.
Final Thoughts
Yassine Chueko is not a current or former Navy SEAL. With that said, it is important to note that he never personally claimed otherwise, even if he did not refute the claims in the media.
It should also be noted that this does not mean he isn’t a highly trained and skill operator. From what we’ve learned, he certainly is very skilled in MMA and appears to have had some sort of military training in his lifetime. He does certainly appear to be capable of protecting Messi.
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