Messi's bodyguard banned from the touchline for Inter Miami games

Argentina star and eight time Ballon D'or winner Lionel Messi will have to adjust to life without his prized bodyguard after he was banned from standing on the touchline going forward.

Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko has on several occasions gone viral for protecting the Argentine forward from pitch invading fans rushing onto the field of play by tackling them to the ground even if it is mid game.

Cheuko, who joined Messi's ranks when he moved to the United States three years ago will have to be content with sitting on the sidelines as a result of a new rule by Major League Soccer.

A former Navy Seal by profession, he has gained widespread recognition after social media videos showed him closely watching the crowd to protect Messi.

According to Spanish media, Major League Soccer has now decided to take full control of matchday security and Cheuko will only be allowed in the locker room and mixed zones.

Speaking to Spanish media, Cheuko boasted that he had a fantastic record of protecting teams and players around Europe but admitted that American fans are hard to deal with.

"They don't allow me to be on the field anymore. I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch," he was quoted saying.

"I came to the USA and in just 20 months 16 people have already done so. There's a huge problem here, let me help Messi."

Messi featured for Inter Miami Sunday as he scored in the 2-1 success over Philadelphia in Major League Soccer.