WHAT HAPPENED
During The Beautiful Game 2025 charity football match in Miami, featuring the likes of Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho among other celebrities and professional athletes, Lionel Messi’s ever-present bodyguard Yassine Cheuko momentarily forgot the friendly nature of the event when he delivered a full-blooded slide tackle on basketball legend Steve Nash. The incident occurred after Cheuko lost the ball after a tackle from Nash, who then attempted to shield the ball as it rolled out of play. But Cheuko attempted to win it back, and in the proces,s he slid into the two-time NBA MVP from the back, and conceded a foul as the crowd watched on in shock.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Beautiful Game charity match has become an annual tradition, bringing together football stars, celebrities, and athletes from other sports to raise funds for various causes. Cheuko’s presence on the pitch rather than just alongside it represents the growing celebrity status he has achieved since becoming Messi’s bodyguard during the Argentine’s time in Ligue 1.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Following The Beautiful Game 2025, Cheuko will return to his primary responsibility of providing security for Lionel Messi as Inter Miami embark on their debut Club World Cup appearance.
