Yassine Chouikhou Steals Spotlight Carrying Reporter During Live Broadcast

Yassine Chouikhou, the personal bodyguard of Argentine star Lionel Messi, attracted widespread attention with a humorous incident just hours before the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.

The 37-year-old Chouikhou became a trending topic on social media after he lifted a Brazilian journalist named Vitor Sergio Rodriguez onto his shoulder and moved him away from the camera during a live broadcast on a television channel holding the rights to the match.

In the video clip, Chouikhou carried the reporter away from the screen during the analytical studio segment covering the PSG versus Arsenal game, while other journalists laughed at the scene.

Although the moment appeared to be a planned joke, according to the British newspaper The Sun, the strength displayed by Chouikhou—known as Messi's "shadow" since the player's transfer to the Major League Soccer in summer 2023—was described as "not a joke at all."

The British paper highlighted several humorous social media comments, including one stating, "This man has real strength, these are genuine muscles and not just for show."

Another comment read, "This is unbelievable! The reporter must weigh between 80 and 90 kilograms, yet Chouikhou lifted him as if he were carrying a stuffed doll."

A third commenter joked, "He lifted him like he was carrying a sack of rice."

Background of Yassine Chouikhou's Career

Chouikhou previously served in the US Navy elite forces and is recognized as an expert in martial arts. He was contracted by Inter Miami specifically to serve as Messi's personal bodyguard.

He gained independent fame due to his exceptional speed in covering distances to stay close to Messi during matches.

Restrictions Imposed on Chouikhou in MLS Matches

In April 2025, Major League Soccer decided to prohibit Chouikhou from being present on the sidelines during league matches, allowing him only in locker rooms and mixed zones.

Later, in August of the same year, the organizing committee of the Leagues Cup banned him from standing in the technical area inside the stadium for the remainder of that tournament. This decision followed an incident where Chouikhou pushed a player during a match between Inter Miami and Mexican club Atlas, after entering the field to intervene in a heated argument between players, a moment in which Messi was also visible.