Lionel Messi is making the most of some much needed downtime by relaxing in Florida with his wife Anontela Roccuzzo – but like with most Inter Miami games, his bodyguard was prowling nearby.
Messi, 36, was seen relaxing with Antonela in Naples, Florida ahead of a big week where he is expected to win the Ballon d’Or in Paris on Monday and be crowned the best soccer player of the year for the eighth time in his career.
He was pictured enjoying the sunshine in Miami by an adoring fan but it wasn’t purely a family outing.
Messi’s ex-Navy SEAL bodyguard Yassine Chueko was pictured in one of the images, sat a short distance away from Messi and Antonela and surveying the scene for anyone posing a security risk.
Chueko is typically seen at the Miami games, stalking the sidelines and following Messi around the field to keep him safe.
Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo were relaxing in Florida with their bodyguard sat nearby
Yassine Chueko, an ex-Navy SEAL, is usually spotted alongside Messi at Inter Miami games
Recently, Chueko stopped a young fan getting to Messi before letting him meet his idol
The Argentina World Cup winner is one of the most famous faces ever in the world of sport and games can often be disrupted by fans running onto the pitch and up to Messi to get a selfie.
Indeed, earlier in October Chueko instinctively sprang into life when an eight-year-old fan ran onto the field at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium when Messi was nearby.
Chueko reacted rapidly to stop the boy getting to Messi but when he realized it was only a child, he walked the fan over to his idol and they got a picture together.
It is unclear if Chueko’s remit is only to protect Messi in the United States or if he will travel with the star to France. Messi lived in Paris for two years, so it is possible he will have his own security arrangements when he is in the French capital.
But soon after Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, Messi and Miami will head to China for a post-season tour.
The plan was initially for two games to be played but according to the South China Morning Post, one has been canceled.
Miami missed out narrowly on making Major League Soccer’s post-season playoffs after an awful start to the season before Messi arrived.
