Fans spot Lionel Messi’s bodyguard patrolling the Inter Miami touchline during a Leagues Cup game and agree: ‘This guy means business’

After being tasked with protecting arguably the greatest soccer player there’s ever been, Lionel Messi’s personal bodyguard is taking no chances in ensuring his safety.

Messi completed a lucrative switch to Inter Miami this summer after calling time on his turbulent spell in France with PSG, heading to the States to experience a new league and culture at the age of 36. 

But not only did the David Beckham-owned franchise lure one of soccer’s all-time greats to Miami, it also hired one of the most vigilant bodyguards around to protect him.

Fans spotted Messi’s personal security watching his client like a hawk during Inter’s recent victory against Orlando, patrolling the touchline to keep tabs on him after his opening goal in the Leagues Cup fixture.

One wrote on X: ‘These people aren’t joking around with their biggest asset’.

Fans spotted Messi’s security patrolling the touchline after his recent goal against Orlando

Another commented: ‘This guy means business’

A third joked: ‘Bro scans like prime xavi. Messi in safe hands.’ 

Another put: ‘His eyes are always panning’.

While one concluded: ‘Miami is taking good care of the GOAT.’

The alert bodyguard has also been seen monitoring Messi as he walks on and off the field, catching a jersey thrown down at the Barcelona legend from the stands and blocking pitch invaders from getting to him.

Miami revealed its plans to ramp up security ahead of Messi’s arrival, which generated levels of attention not seen in US soccer since David Beckham signed for LA Galaxy back in 2007.

Speaking to the Miami Herald, Owner Jorge Mas, who spearheaded the charm offensive to get Messi to the States, said back in June: ‘Security will obviously be enhanced.  Players will be bussed in, going through a tunnel. All of those security protocols are already prepared both for here and away. And it’s not only for our games.

‘It’s going to be an everyday occurrence and something we witnessed and I thought handled very well when (Messi) was here with Argentina before the World Cup.

The bodyguard is always by Messi’s side as he experiences a new league and culture in the US

He has certainly hit the ground running, scoring nine goals in his first six games for Miami

‘As you may recall, Argentina trained in Miami before they flew over to to Doha. We had an opportunity to see some of the Messi mania at our doors on an everyday basis during practice. So, we’re very prepared. We’ve been getting ready for this.’

It didn’t take long for Messi mania to engulf the States, with the Argentina captain mobbed by fans on several occasions since moving to the country.

One even approached him in his car and received a kiss from his hero as he waited in traffic.

On the pitch Messi has certainly lived up to the hype, scoring nine goals in his first six games to propel Miami into the Leagues Cup final, where it will bid to win its first ever title.