Lionel Messi and his Ballon d’Or were in safe hands Monday night as the World Cup winner flew back from Paris with his bodyguard in tow.
The Inter Miami star picked up his eighth Ballon d’Or during a ceremony in the French capital Monday night beating Manchester City‘s 52-goal star Erling Haaland to the prestigious soccer award.
But the Argentine wasted no time sticking around in Paris – the home of his former club Paris Saint-Germain – as he and his family seemingly flew back to the United States in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The World Cup winner and his precious cargo were well-protected on the flight home as they were joined by Messi’s ex-Navy SEAL bodyguard Yassine Chueko.
Chueko shared a photo to his Instagram story around 6am CET of himself posing with the soccer superstar and his latest prize.
Lionel Messi and his bodyguard Yassine Chueko posed with the Ballon d’Or on a private jet
The ex-Navy SEAL had guided the forward through the red carpet at the ceremony Monday
The Argentine World Cup winner collected his eighth Ballon d’Or award Monday night
The bodyguard donned a black hoodie for the trip while a bleary-eyed Messi was still dressed in his shirt and bowtie, suggesting he boarded the plane straight from his celebrations.
Chueko had guided the forward through the red carpet in Paris Monday night as Messi made his way into the ceremony.
Before moving to Inter Miami in the summer, 36-year-old Messi masterminded Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar, scoring twice during the final, while also finding the back of the net during a penalty shootout, to help the team defeat 2018 winners France.
He also scored a whopping 32 goals in 55 games across all competitions for PSG, to help the side clinch the Ligue 1 title.
David Beckham, the co-owner of Inter Miami, presented him with the coveted award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, to a standing ovation from members of the crowd.
Messi beat out Haaland to the award but the Manchester City forward didn’t leave empty-handed, claiming the Gerd Muller Trophy for the best striker, after his stunning 52-goal season, helping City win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Chueko is typically seen at the Miami games, stalking the sidelines and following Messi around the field to keep him safe.
The Argentina World Cup winner is one of the most famous faces ever in the world of sport and games can often be disrupted by fans running onto the pitch and up to Messi to get a selfie.
Chueko was seen following Messi, wife Antonela and their three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro
Chueko, an ex-Navy SEAL, is usually spotted alongside Messi at Inter Miami games
Indeed, earlier in October Chueko instinctively sprang into life when an eight-year-old fan ran onto the field at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium when Messi was nearby.
Chueko reacted rapidly to stop the boy getting to Messi but when he realized it was only a child, he walked the fan over to his idol and they got a picture together.
Messi and Miami were set to travel to China for a postseason mini tour but that has reportedly been cancelled due to ‘bureaucratic and commercial issues’, which compel the Herons to remain at the Florida Blue Training Center to train until mid-November.
Beckham’s MLS side narrowly missed out on making the playoffs, despite a sudden charge inspired by Messi’s arrival. However, the 36-year-old did lead the club to its first piece of silverware in the inaugural Leagues Cup.
