Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko has opened up on what Argentina captain did to him after winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
Cheuko said he will never forget Messi’s kind words as the Inter Miami forward called him the best bodyguard while they were on a plane after last year’s Ballon d’Or presentation ceremony.
Recall that Messi won the 2023 Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
“Messi does not consider me only his bodyguard but also a friend. When he won the Ballon d’Or, we were on the plane and he told me, ‘Yassine Carry the Ballon d’Or in your hand!’ and I told him, ‘Okay…’ At first I thought he wanted me to carry it somewhere else,” Cheuko said (via @TheEuropeanLad on X).
“And then when I carried it, he said to his son and wife: ‘The winner of the Ballon d’Or for the best bodyguard is Yassin.’ It was a beautiful moment and words I will never forget from the best player in the world.
“I feel as if I am part of his family and I am trying hard to protect him not only from the physical side but also from the psychological side, because he trusts me a lot and depends on me and for my part I give all my focus to him. He is very humble.”