Approach Lionel Messi at your own risk.
TMZ Sports has obtained a clip showing an overeager young fan running up to Messi while he was seated under a tent during the Inter Miami CF-hosted Dreams Cup tournament over the weekend. The supporter appeared to present the Argentinian soccer star with a Sharpie for an autograph when several security guards arrived, and escorted him away from the tent.
As the young fan tried to walk off the pitch in one direction, another man swooped in, aggressively grabbing his arm and pulling him by the shirt before taking him in the opposite direction.
While all of this was happening, another young fan, wearing a yellow shirt, managed to go unnoticed. He not only appeared to ask Messi for a selfie, but waved goodbye to the eight-time Ballon d’Or award winner.
It may be safe to assume that if Messi's personal bodyguard Yassine Cheuko was allowed to do his job, this interaction would not have happened. Cheuko told House of Highlights earlier this year that he could not roam the sidelines anymore, despite serving the same role in Europe for seven years.
An Inter Miami FC spokesperson said the decision regarding Cheuko was made by the club. He remains an employee of the club, and a member of the security team.