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'Another excuse' - Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko responds to bare knuckle fight claim from WWE superstar Logan Paul

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<p>The pair have become caught up in a war of words on social media. The feud, which remains online for now, started when YouTube sensation Paul claimed that he would <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-superstar-lionel-messi-challenged-boxing-match-logan-paul-settle-prime-energy-drink-lawsuit/bltcc9ee7bf903dfcb8" target="_blank">happily settle a legal case with Messi</a> - between energy drink brands PRIME and Mas+ - inside the ring.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Former Navy SEAL <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-navy-seal-bodyguard-yassine-cheuko-offers-fight-logan-paul-wwe-superstar-joke-boxing-proposal-inter-miami-icon/blte50d7eb3ac94cb28" target="_blank">Cheuko offered to step up and take Messi’s place</a>, with the Paris native - who first started working with Inter Miami icon Messi during his time at PSG - a trained MMA fighter.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p><span></span>Paul claims to have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-logan-paul-turned-down-15m-fight-lionel-messi-bodyguard-yassine-cheuko-wwe-superstar-super-cool-offer-inter-miami-boxing-match/bltc9b5539ef9558dc2" target="_blank">turned down the offer of a $15 million (£11m) boxing match</a> with Cheuko. The 30-year-old -  who is now a professional wrestler - has, however, suggested that he would be willing to face Cheuko in a bare knuckle scrap on the streets of Puerto Rico.</p>

THE GOSSIP

<p>Cheuko <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/beat-up-by-youtuber-logan-paul-lionel-messi-wwe-boxing-fight-request-inter-miami-bodyguard-yassine-chueko/blt595d673b923a5bfe" target="_blank">is not backing down</a> and has fired back by saying: "Listen Lolo, you're so cute with your blonde hair. Why are you getting nervous? Stop the drama Lolo.</p><p>"So now you find another excuse. Last time you said you're a WWE superstar, and now you told me, come to Puerto Rico to fight in the streets without gloves or a mouth guard. Lolo! Stop your drama, Lolo. You already know we cannot do that. You are not a gangster, Lolo, and I am not a kid. We are not gonna fight on the street.</p><p>"So now, sign the contract, Lolo. Stop excuses. What is [your] next excuse? You gonna tell me you're an astronaut, let's fight to the moon? Lolo! Stop excuses, sign the contract. But I promise, I'm not gonna knock you out in the first round. Take it easy, Lolo."</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">‼️ Messi’s Bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, responds to Logan Paul 🗣️<br><br>[Via - <a href="https://twitter.com/YassineCheuko?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YassineCheuko</a>’s IG] <a href="https://t.co/uSRmP4hVBH">pic.twitter.com/uSRmP4hVBH</a></p>— IFN (@IfnBoxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/IfnBoxing/status/1920877809716601247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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WHAT YASSINE CHEUKO SAID

<p>Messi has stayed out of the drama, with there <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/joke-why-lionel-messi-wont-fighting-logan-paul-wwe-star-called-out-inter-miami-captain-prime-vs-mas-lawsuit/blt9db8fd6c983bbbdb" target="_blank">more important things for him to focus on</a> at present. Inter Miami have hit an inconsistent run and need their eight-time Ballon d’Or winner - as the reigning MVP of MLS - to drag them back into form.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

'Another excuse' - Lionel Messi's bodyguard Yassine Cheuko responds to bare knuckle fight claim from WWE superstar Logan Paul | Goal.com

Lionel Messi&apos;s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, has responded to a bare knuckle fight claim from WWE superstar Logan Paul.

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