Lionel Messi's bodyguard is MMA fighter and former US soldier hand-picked by David Beckham

The identity of Lionel Messi's bodyguard has been revealed after he went viral recently.

Messi continued his stunning, undefeated run at Inter Miami on Wednesday night by guiding the club to a second cup final.

The Herons drew 3-3 with FC Cincinnati in an pulsating 120 minutes of action, before winning 5-4 on penalties to set up a US Open Cup final showdown with Houston Dynamo.

Messi assisted Leonardo Campana with two exquisite crosses, including one for a 97th minute equaliser to force extra time.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner sprinted over to celebrate with his teammates and fans spotted the bodyguard darting down the touchline to stay close to him.

The guard was also seen with Messi on the pitch after the game and goes to extreme lengths to protect the Argentine ace.

He waits for him getting off the team bus and follows his every step - even while the game is going on.

There had been plenty of curiosity from fans as to who the individual is and how he has come to be minding arguably the greatest player in football history.

The security man has now been named as Yassine Chueko, with Argentine outlet La Nacion providing details about his background.

Chueko, a former US soldier is said to have been personally selected by Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.

He's believed to be an ex Navy Seal who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan but also has extensive experience in MMA.

He win his first professional fight in Thailand in the first round, securing the finish in 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Chueko is proficient in multiple martial arts and regularly posts footage of him training on his Instagram account, where Messi and Sergio Ramos are among his 113,000 followers.

Rodrigo De Paul has always been described as Messi's personal bodyguard but Chueko is now his chief protector and you wouldn't fancy crossing him.