Lionel Messi’s father insists the Barcelona star had no part to play in the tax controversy that threatens to ruin his name.
Messi and his father Jorge have been accused of tax evasion over three offences from 2007 to 2009, hiding more than £3.2 million from the Spanish Government.
Messi is also said to have failed to pay tax on earnings from image rights, with income allegedly hidden in a series of ‘shell companies’ across the world.
Prosecutors had agreed to drop the charges against Messi after his father paid the court £3.9 million to settle the dispute with the Spanish tax authorities.
It was agreed that Jorge was in charge of the finances and said only he should stand trial but the Spanish Treasury refused to drop the case and said Messi must join his father.
“My lawyers are dealing with this issue so it’s something with me and has nothing to do with him.”
His comments come as Messi celebrates a decade since making his Barcelona debut against Espanyol.
In the past 10 years, he has gone on to win six La Liga titles and three Champions League medals, alongside breaking almost every goalscoring record in the game.