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Soccer legend Lionel Messi was knocked to the ground during a friendly in Puerto Rico on Thursday.
It happened around the 88th minute of an exhibition tour match. Several fans jumped onto the field of the Juan Ramón Loubriel stadium. Messi’s team, Inter Miami, was playing Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle in Bayamón when a fan ran into the center circle and grabbed Messi around the waist before both were tackled by a security guard.
Messi appeared to be unharmed. The Argentine star immediately stood up and walked to another part of the field.
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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 status as a security guard has been a topic of fascination for fans for years, especially after he arrived in the United States to join Inter Miami of Major League Soccer.
His main bodyguard, Yassine Chueko, has gone viral in previous years for hovering alertly around 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 concern and frustration over the decision, warning that it could lead to a tackle on Messi.
Lionel Messi’s bodyguard brought down overzealous fans. (Getty Images)
“I’m not allowed on the field anymore,” the bodyguard said in an interview with social media channel House of Highlights.
“I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the field. I came to the United States and in just 20 months, 16 people have already done it. There is a big problem here. I am not the problem. Let me help Messi.”
An Inter Miami team spokesperson previously told ESPN that it was a decision by the club, not MLS, not to have Cheuko on the sideline. However, Cheuko remains an employee of the club and part of the security team, and accompanies Messi on a daily basis.
Now, in early 2026, a pitch invader managed to catch up with Messi on the pitch and knock down the 38-year-old superstar, in Cheuko’s absence.
Thursday’s match was originally scheduled for Feb. 13, but was postponed because Messi felt discomfort in his leg during the previous exhibition match against Barcelona SC of Ecuador.
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A fan is detained 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 began its MLS season with a 3-0 loss to LAFC, faces Orlando City next Sunday.
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