Protecting Lionel Messi takes more than just strength and awareness. Just ask his bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko. Cheuko’s highly demanding job requires him to build extraordinary strength and conditioning. A recent Instagram video shared by @menshealthau proves why only a few would dare to take on the challenge of being Messi’s personal bodyguard.

Hilariously captioned “This is what it takes to be Lionel Messi’s bodyguard. Safe to say no one is getting near him." The post highlighted the intense strength training and conditioning required to prepare bodyguards for their roles.

The first brutal workout features Cheuko performing dumbbell burpees while his trainer repeatedly slams a metal rod as part of his abdominal conditioning. The next workout is similar, with Cheuko performing an isometric reverse plank with his training partner slamming a tractor tire onto his core.

The tire slamming drills, as brutal as they may seem, are an excellent combat sports body conditioning practice. Cheuko’s mixed unconventional combat conditioning drills, as shared in the Instagram post, help develop abdominal toughness and pain tolerance.

Cheuko’s extensive MMA background and other combat sports help him train more like an explosive fighter than a traditional bodyguard.

The combat sports experience behind Lionel Messi’s bodyguard

Messi’s bodyguard, Cheuko, boasts of a well-documented combat sports background.

As per Lionel Messi’s website, Cheuko trained in MMA, boxing, taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai. Although he did not have a professional MMA career, he has trained extensively in combat sports. He has often shared videos on social media of himself striking, grappling, and sparring.

His extensive background in taekwondo contributes to his agility, intense footwork, and kicking abilities. Furthermore, his regular boxing sessions, heavy bag, and pad work sessions keep him fight-ready at all times.

Submission and grappling are important aspects of BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) training, which have always been part of his workout regimen. This experience has made Cheuko well-suited for Messi’s executive protection.

Whether he is powering through brutal training or busy protecting Messi, Cheuko has continued to prove his abilities as an elite bodyguard.

His skills and relentless training keep him at the top of his game, proving why he was built for one of the toughest jobs: protecting a football icon.

Did you know about Cheuko’s extensive MMA background?

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi