Lionel Messi, the highest-paid soccer player in the world, might be in some serious financial trouble.
Messi and his father have been accused of tax fraud in Spain, and if they — in an unlikely case — are convicted, the pair could face up to six years in prison and nearly $32 million in fines.
Messi in Motion: All eyes on Argentina's Star Striker
Lionel Messi during the 2014 World Cup match between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina, on June 15th, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Gustavo Basso—NurPhoto/CorbisArgentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Switzerland's Admir Mehmedi and Johan Djourou during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil on July 1, 2014. Kai Pfaffenbach—ReutersArgentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Iran's Javad Nekounam during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on June 21, 2014. Kai Pfaffenbach—ReutersArgentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball during their 2014 World Cup quarter-finals at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia on July 5, 2014. Damir Sagolj—ReutersArgentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Nigel de Jong of the Netherlands during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil on July 9, 2014. Ricardo Moares—ReutersArgentina's Lionel Messi escapes from Switzerland's Valon Behrami (L) and Gelson Fernandes (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Argentina and Switzerland at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on July 1, 2014.
BALLESTEROS—EPAArgentina's Lionel Messi runs with the ball during the Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014,Adrian Dennis—AFP/Getty ImagesLionel Messi (10) carries the ball through the midfiel during the Round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup, between Argentina and Switzerland, on July 1st, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Gustavo Basso—NurPhoto/CorbisArgentina's Lionel Messi chases the ball with Belgium's Axel Witsel during their 2014 World Cup quarter-finals at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia on July 5, 2014. David Gray—ReutersArgentina's Lionel Messi vies for the ball during a quarter-final football match between Argentina and Belgium at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 5, 2014. Adrian Dennis—AFP/Getty ImagesArgentina's Lionel Messi scores a goal past Iran's Reza Ghoochannejhad during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on June 21, 2014.Leonhard Foeger—ReutersArgentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Angel Di Maria scored a goal during extra time in their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game against Switzerland at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil on July 1, 2014. Paulo Whitaker—ReutersArgentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the group F World Cup soccer match against Argentina at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 25, 2014.Jon Super—APArgentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the group F World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Bosnia at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 15, 2014. Victor R. Caivano—AP
