Lionel Messi may leave Spain to avoid jail time

Lionel Messi might be forced to leave the Nou Camp after a tax dispute that may lead to some time behind bars.

Messi has complained that he is being singled out in comparison with other elite Spanish athletes with disputed tax affairs. The Argentian, who earns over €50 million a year, has had tax difficulties in the past. Last year he was accused of hiding €4.1 million earned from image rights. In Spain, anyone who has more than €120,000 in undeclared income will automatically face a prison sentence, but usually the offender can avoid jail time by agreeing to pay a settlement.

Messi paid a €5 million settlement for concealing the money but the authorities have decided to force him to stand trial, which could result in a prison sentence.

Sources close to Messi revealed to the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, that Barcelona's talismanic striker might be on the way out of the club due to the tax dispute, claiming that the Argentine could actually face some jail time.

There are other elite sportspeople who have tax problems and they’ve all been settled administratively, as was the case with Real Madrid players Xabi Alonso and Iker Casillas and tennis star Rafa Nadal.

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.

Hat-tip to Independent