He’s back! As Lionel Messi returns with Inter Miami in preseason game with El Salvador, so too does his bodyguard Yassine Chueko – who went viral protecting the star across the last Major League Soccer season!

Lionel Messi’s famous personal bodyguard made his epic return alongside the Inter Miami star for the team’s friendly against the El Salvadoran national team.

Last season, bodyguard Yassine Chueko rose to fame after fans spotted him patrolling the sidelines during one of Messi’s first matches after moving to Miami, trying to follow that star through the action of the match.

It was later revealed that Chueko was a former American soldier and MMA fighter who was personally selected by David Beckham to protect Messi.

Chueko was finally spurred into action one day when a young fan stormed the field in an attempt to take a photo before being stopped by the famous bodyguard. However, Messi still allowed the child to take a photo with him.

Although the friendly drew 0-0 without any problems, the services of Chueko and other security forces were certainly needed for Inter Miami on Friday evening.

Hours before the match even started, videos on team on the bus.

Tickets for the game range from $200 to $400 and have likely exceeded that amount through third-party vendors.

The Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador has a capacity of 53,400 fans and there was a good chance that every seat in the stadium will be sold out to cheer on the magician from Miami.

When he finally arrived at the stadium for the match, Chueko was seen walking with Messi as the star player stepped off the bus and waved to the mass of fans queuing outside the building, not letting the Argentine move more than an arm’s length away.

The hysteria before the match ultimately provided more excitement than the boring display of football that subsequently unfolded on the pitch.