Lionel Messi tackled by fan during Inter Miami match in Puerto Rico
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Football legend Lionel Messi crashed to the ground during a friendly match in Puerto Rico on Thursday.
The incident took place in the 88th minute of the exhibition round match. At the Juan Ramón Loubriel stadium, many fans jumped onto the field. Messi’s team, Inter Miami, were playing against 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 to the ground by a security guard.
It appeared that Messi was unharmed. The Argentinian star immediately stood up and walked towards another part of the field.
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A fan is chased by security guards as he jumps 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 security guard situation has been a topic of fan interest for years, especially after he arrived in the United States to join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
His chief bodyguard, Yassine Chueko, had gone viral in previous years for keeping a careful eye on Messi while the star was playing football. However, in 2025, Inter Miami changed his role to prevent Chueko from being on the pitch to protect Messi from pitch invaders.
Chueko expressed his concerns and disappointment with the decision, warning that it could result in Messi being ruled out.
Lionel Messi’s guard brought down enthusiastic fans. (Getty Images)
“They don’t let me on the field anymore,” the guard said in an interview with social media channel House of Highlights.
“I was in Europe for seven years, working in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people occupied the pitch. I came to the USA and in just 20 months, 16 people did it. There is a huge problem here. The problem is not me. Let me help Messi.”
Previously Inter Miami team spokesman he told ESPN It was the club’s decision, not MLS’s, that Cheuko wasn’t on the sidelines. However, Cheuko remains an employee of the club and part of its security team and accompanies Messi every day.
Now, at the start of 2026, a player invading the pitch has successfully reached Messi and knocked out the 38-year-old superstar in Cheuko’s absence.
Thursday’s match was originally scheduled for February 13 but was postponed after Messi felt discomfort in his leg during a previous exhibition match against Ecuador’s Barcelona SC.
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A fan who jumped onto the field to greet Lionel Messi during the friendly match between Independiente del Valle and Inter Miami in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on February 26, 2026, was detained by security guards. (Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)
Santiago Morales and Messi defeated Inter Miami 2-1 with the goals they scored in the 16th and 70th minutes, respectively.
Miami, which started the MLS season by losing 3-0 to LAFC, will face Orlando City next Sunday.
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