Lionel Messi has ex-Navy Seal and MMA ace bodyguard who follows him during games

David Beckham isn't playing with the protection of Lionel Messi as the Inter Miami co-owner hired a former soldier and MMA ace to watch over the 36-year-old.

The MLS side are taking no chances with the Argentine icon who has already had a staggering impact on the club by leading Miami to two cup finals in the space of a week, while winning the Leagues Cup, the first trophy in the club's history.

While Messi is in action on the pitch, he's carefully being watched over by bodyguard Yassine Chueko who is never too far away from the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Chueko, an ex-Navy Seal and MMA fighter, was spotted when he was hard at work during Miami's U.S. Open Cup semi-final victory over FC Cincinnati on Thursday (August 24).

READ MORE: Miss BumBum goes topless for Lionel Messi – covering boobs in Inter Miami body paint

The muscular bodyguard was wholly focused on Messi and would run down the touchline when the Argentine would run on the pitch.

The club are certainly getting their money's worth if the presence of Chueko solidifies the safety of Messi who will look to lead the club to a second trophy this season in their U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo on September 26.

Would any other athlete have a bodyguard like this? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below

Alongside his military prowess, the former US soldier – who has 128,000 followers on Instagram – is proficient in boxing and a taekwondo expert as fans on social media had their say on the menacing figure.

One fan wrote: "This is an unfair advantage. If I was an opposition player and saw that man eyeballing me on the sidelines I would be scared to even go close to Messi let alone try to actually tackle him."

Another dubbed the bodyguard a "hawk" as they commented: "Dude is a hawk, you do not want to f*** with him. Protecting the GOAT though, got to respect it" while a third person suggested Inter Miami may be going overboard as they said: "Even during matches is a little too much but I hear it."

The decision to acquire Chueko's services may have come after a security breach last month where Messi was approached by a fan who ran onto the pitch.

However, given the change of fortunes the team has experienced following Messi's arrival, including being unbeaten and two cup final appearances, you can't blame Beckham for protecting his prized possession.

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