LAFC made the Champions Cup finals in 2020 and 2023 and beat the Columbus Crew 4–2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 last month. Denis Bouanga, the MLS Golden Boot winner in 2023 and co-runner-up with Messi and Luis Suarez last season, scored three of L.A.’s four goals against the Crew.

When Inter Miami traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, last month to play Cavalier FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16, Cheuko was in attendance but not seen on the pitch patrolling Messi’s movements at the National Stadium. Concacaf handles team security protocols for its competitions.

Lionel Messi shows visible frustration after Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to LAFC in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup on Thursday April 2, 2025 as Messi played full minutes