Imogen CalderwoodLEGENDARY football star Lionel Messi could quit Barcelona FC over the threat of a prison sentence.
Crowned La Liga’s all-time top goal scorer this weekend, Messi could face jail amid accusations of undeclared income.
Messi and his father Jorge have been accused of hiding €4.1 million in companies in Belize and Uruguay, to avoid tax obligations in Spain.
The 27-year-old agreed to pay a €5 million settlement earlier this year but, according to Spanish law, anyone who has more than €120,000 in undeclared income automatically faces a jail sentence.
In practice, this is usually waived if they agree to pay. But sources close to Messi told El Confidencial: “There are other elite sportspeople who have tax problems and they’ve all been settled administratively.
“Messi is the only one who faces legal proceedings that could end with him going to jail. He’s fed up with Spain and that’s why he wants to leave.”
The Argentinian became La Liga’s top goalscorer after scoring a hat-trick during Saturday’s match at home to Sevilla, setting the new record at 253 goals.
Meanwhile the Spanish tax authorities are reportedly investigating four other Barca stars for tax violations in relation to agents fees and image rights.
So many people in this world would be actually proud to pay their dues from those kind of earnings. Pay yours Messi and stop whining. Just thank your stars you were blessed with a pointless but lucrative skill.