Messi’s team, Inter Miami, told ESPN that it was the club’s decision not to allow Cheuko on the sidelines, instead deciding to rely on their own security team to handle fans.

Los Angeles is a city of stars, so it was only fitting that Lionel Messi was back in the Inter Miami starting lineup for the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal game against LAFC late Wednesday night.

There have been some concerns over Messi’s fitness, and his usage by coach Javier Mascherano has been intermittent in recent weeks. He missed Argentina’s thumping victory over Brazil last week with a hip complaint. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was present in L.A. to watch Wednesday’s proceedings.