Lionel Messi Convicted of Tax Fraud, Should Avoid Prison

Lionel Messi and his father Jorge were convicted of tax fraud in Spain. They were accused of sheltering $11 million in image rights income in South American tax shelters between 2007 and 2009, evading about $4.5 million in taxes. Messi had maintained he had no knowledge of his father’s financial dealings.

Father and son were fined a total of about $3.3 million (Messi had already spent more than $16 million to address outstanding tax issues). Both were handed 21-month prison sentences.

Neither Messi will actually serve that sentence in prison. In Spain, sentences of less than two years can be served on probation. Both have clean criminal records. Also, the two can still appeal their sentences to the Spanish supreme court.

The upshot: Messi won’t miss a minute of play for Barcelona over this (or for Argentina if once again inclined). His teammate Javier Mascherano received a similar sentence for tax fraud in February, played for Barcelona and for Argentina at Copa America.

Per Forbes, Messi earned $77 million last year, $51 million in salary and $26 million in endorsements.