Lionel Messi gets 21-month jail for tax fraud

Argentine professional footballer Lionel Messi, who currently plays as a forward for Spanish club Barcelona, was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in prison and fined over 2 million euros (USD 2.2 million) after being found guilty of three counts of tax fraud.

A court in Barcelona found the 29-year-old and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, guilty of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to defraud Spain of 4.16 million euros (over USD 4.5 million) of Leo’s income between 2007 and 2009.

The court also disclosed that the pair had used tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from the FC Barcelona player's image rights.

Messi's image rights reportedly include endorsement deals with Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble as well as Kuwait Food Company.

Messi was also fined 2.09 million euros (USD 2.31 million), while his father was fined 1.6 million euros (USD 1.77 million).

The defendants can appeal the decision to Spain's Supreme Court.

Neither of the men is expected to serve time in jail since prison terms of fewer than two years for non-violent crimes can be served under probation according to Spain's legal system.

During the four-day trial, Messi said he had confidence in his father with his finances, and “knew nothing” about how his wealth was being managed.

However, Spain's state attorney, Mario Maza, dismissed the allegation, saying that it is unlikely that the footballer was unaware of the situation.

"There is no deliberate ignorance here, it's fraud and that's all there is to it, because he didn't want to pay his taxes," he said.

"It's like a crime boss. At the very top is the bigwig who doesn't want to know about the details," Maza said.

On June 26, Messi announced his retirement from international games after missing a penalty kick and losing against Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.

The five-time FIFA Player of the Year and winner of four UEFA Champions League titles and the receiver of eight Spanish La Liga crowns sensationally announced the decision following La Roja’s 4-2 victory on penalty kicks over the top-ranked Albiceleste at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the United States.

“It’s a hard moment for me and the team, and it’s difficult to say, but it’s over with the Argentina team,” Messi told TyC Sports television network.

“I’ve done all I can, I’ve been in four finals and it hurts not to be a champion,” he added.

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