Barca Star Messi Could Face Trial for Tax Evasion

Barca Star Messi Could Face Trial for Tax Evasion

BARCELONA, Spain, June 10 (UPI) — Although Cristiano Ronaldo earned $5.8 million more Lionel Messi last year, Messi still stood as the most valuable player in the world. But now Messi and his father Jorge are mangled in a mess, being accused of defrauding the authorities of more than $5 million.

Ronaldo made $79.6 million while Messi made $73.8 million this year, according to Forbes. But losing an appeal over tax fraud charges Wednesday could prove costly for Messi.

In 2014, the Messi duo was accused of not paying tax on earnings from the Messi’s image rights from 2007 to 2009, according to Super Sport.

“While it is understandable that a player of this magnitude is not aware of all the details of managing a millionaire,” Prosecutors told Super Sport. “There are elements of a fiscal debt.”

Messi’s father allegedly set up a number of companies which would, “simulate the handing over of the player’s image rights,” according to an El Pias report.

“The Barcelona Provincial High Court believes there is evidence that the Argentinean forward “benefited” from a network of companies that allowed him to defraud the Spanish Tax Agency of €4.1 million in income tax, regardless of whether or not he had knowledge of the structures in place,” the El Pias report by Jesus Garcia read.

Messi, 27, is a four-time World Player of the Year but could face up to five years in prison if convicted, according to the Inquisitr.

The Real Madrid forward Ronaldo was named the world footballer of the year after winning his second consecutive Ballon d’Or award in January. Messi won the award from 2009 through 2012. But the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) Football Observatory also reported in January that Messi is the most valuable player in the world, with a transfer value of $255.3 million compared to Ronaldo’s $113.3 million.