Yassine Choukou, the personal bodyguard of Argentine star Lionel Messi, revealed some human moments he shared with the Argentine national team player and Inter Miami. Choukou stated in an interview with "TNT" Sports that he will never forget Messi's kind words for him, where he described him as the best bodyguard in the world and gave him his personal Ballon d'Or.
Lionel Messi recently surpassed competitors Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé to win his eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023. During their return flight after the French football award ceremony, the Argentine presented his bodyguard Choukou with the "Ballon d'Or for Best Bodyguard."
Yassine added, "Messi is incredibly humble and doesn’t see me merely as his bodyguard, but also as a friend. We talk, laugh, and get to know each other's personalities." He further mentioned, "He always invites me to lunch and treats me well. When he won the Ballon d'Or, we were on the plane, and he told me: Yassine, hold the Ballon d'Or in your hand! I replied, 'Okay...'."
He continued, "At first, I thought he wanted me to take it somewhere else, but then when I held it, he told his son and wife: the winner of the Ballon d'Or for Best Bodyguard is Yassine."
Yassine concluded, "It was a beautiful moment and words I will never forget from the best player in the world. I feel like I am part of his family and I try hard to protect him not only physically but also mentally, as he trusts me a lot and relies on me, while I give him my full focus."
