Barcelona star Lionel Messi told he will avoid jail for alleged tax fraud if he pays fine of up to £20 million

Lionel Messi could avoid prosecution and a possible jail sentence over tax fraud allegations if he strikes a deal with Spain’s tax office and pays a fine of up to €24 million (£20m), judicial sources have said.

The Barcelona star, voted Fifa's World Player of the Year for the last four years running, and his father Jorge Horaco Messi are jointly accused of filing fraudulent tax returns during 2007 to 2009.

Image: Line up, richest football players around

Possible Line up FC Barcelona 2013-2014

GIF : Increible regate de Andres Iniesta a Coentrao

GIF : Neymar ‘AMAZING’ skill

GIF : Thiago Spectacular Control

Football transfer rumours: Fernando Torres to Barcelona

Fernando Torres: Barça's new benchwarmer? Photograph: PA

Barcelona desperately need a defender or two. So Barcelona are in

United, City and Arsenal target Fabregas claims he's 'happy' to stay at Barcelona

Barcelona playmaker Cesc Fabregas is keen to reiterate that his future lies in Spain and he is 'happy' to stay at the Nou Camp.
Fabregas has been in and out of the Barca first team following his return to the Catalan club from Arsenal in 2011 and that has led to reports that several Barclays Premier League clubs might try and tempt the Spain international back to England this summer.

Lionel Messi defended by former Barcelona president Joan Laporta

A former Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, defended Lionel Messi against allegations of tax fraud on Thursday, a case that experts say could carry a prison sentence for the Argentina forward.
A Spanish state prosecutor filed a fraud complaint on Wednesday alleging that Messi and his father, Jorge, avoided paying €4m ($5.3m) in back taxes by illegally using overseas tax havens.

GIF :Messi get ball in balls

Barcelona star sent off for kicking medic

Video: Javier Mascherano shown red after kicking driver of medical buggy



Javier Mascherano was sent off last night in Argentina's 1-1 draw last night with Ecuador - for kicking the driver of a medical buggy that was stretchering him off the pitch.
The bizarre incident occurred in the 86th minute when the Barcelona man required some medical attention. Having been placed on the buggy, he was being taken from the pitch when one of the Ecuador players appeared to squirt water in his direction.

Manchester City rise above Real Madrid and Barcelona to top the global pay charts - but where does your club feature?

Manchester City's staggering rise over the last five years was shown when they were announced as the highest paying club in any sport in the world.

Cesc Fábregas keen to stay at Barcelona and continue 'living a dream'

Cesc Fábregas insists he wants to stay at Barcelona despite reported interest from Manchester United. Photograph: Andrew Innerarity/Reuters

Cesc Fábregas has said he intends to continue "living a dream" at Barcelona rather than pursue a return to the Premier League with Manchester United.

GIF : Messi vs Nani

GIF : Busquets & Iniesta AMAZING Tiki-Taka vs Real Madrid

GIF : Ronaldinho Amazing Skill

GIF : Best Goal in History of Football? Rivaldo ♥

messi vs ronaldo

OMG . Blindfolded Rabona Penalty

GIF : Dani Alves IMPOSSIBLE Pass vs PSG

Neymar scores stunning free-kick

 

Lionel Messi Amazing Skills vs Colombia

 

Lionel Messi dances “Moonwalk” Michael Jackson”

Brazil 3 - 0 France all goals and highlights

 

Jugadores con mas Botas de Oro

Barcelona hail half-fit Lionel Messi for changing game against PSG

Lionel Messiwas hailed as "irreplaceable" by hisBarcelonateam-mates after the half-fit forward came off the substitutes' bench to inspire the team to victory over Paris St-Germain and a place in theChampions Leaguesemi-finals.

Barcelona funny moments : Photo + Video

 

Barcelona funny moments

Watch This Video

Table: All goals Messi for club and country (2004-2013)

Lionel Messi has been left out of Barcelona's squad for the Spanish league game at Real Zaragoza as part of the leaders' plans to rest several first-choice players to prepare for the final stretch of the season.

Neymar thanks Barcelona for their 'affection'

The Brazilian striker has expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from the Catalans, fueling speculation that he may be soon to join the Liga leaders

Bayern Munich's tie with Barcelona can discomfort Pep Guardiola

'Who will Pep support?' is just one of the questions arising from a draw that also pits Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund

Fabregas: Injuries are wearing Barcelona down

Cesc Fabregas has admitted Barcelona's injury problems are hurting the Blaugrana as several key figures have been hit by setbacks this season.

Xavi explains the Barcelona way

"It's about doing something extra, not just winning," is Xavi Hernández's take on FC Barcelona's philosophy, though he remains intent on reaching Wembley once again.

Neymar has the quality to succeed at Barcelona, says Peres

Barcelona: Mario Felipe Peres has referred to Neymar as "one of the best players in the world” and insists that he is ready for a move to Barcelona.

So what happened when Ronaldo's girlfriend was asked to cut a Messi shirt ?

They may be rivals on the pitch but it appears there is no bad blood between La Liga superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi off it.

Lionel Messi back in training for Champions League semi-final

Lionel Messi was back in training on Thursday as the Barcelona striker attempts to rid himself of a hamstring injury before the Champions League semi-final first leg at Bayern Munich on 23 April.

Ronaldinho: Hummels would be a good signing for Barcelona

The Brazilian forward has nothing but praise for the defender and Mario Gotze, and is optimistic about the Blaugrana's chances in the Champions League

Yaya Toure: I've never considered joining Real Madrid because of Barcelona ties

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure says he has never considered joining Real Madrid due to his ties with former club Barcelona.

Barcelona edge closer to title as Cesc Fábregas scores against Levante

Cesc Fábregas scored late to give Barcelona a hard-fought 1-0 win overLevante at Camp Nou and keep them on track to reclaim the Spanish title. They now have a 13-point lead in La Liga with six games to play.

FC Barcelona: Why Eric Abidal Was Barcelona's Man of the Match Against Levante

When the starting lineups were announced for Barcelona in its match against Levante, everyone was pleasantly surprised to see Eric Abidal making his first start in well over a year. But there was a bit of apprehension over how well he would actually play.

Lionel Messi Must Be in Top Form for Barcelona to Win Champions League Semifinal

Superstar LionelMessimust be fully fit in order for Barcelona to advance past BayernMunich in Tuesday'sUEFAChampions League opening semifinal fixture.

'Magical' Messi boosts Barcelona, admits Alves

Dani Alves has stressed that Lionel Messi has "magical" importance to Barcelona and believes he could be key in ensuring the club's success this season.

Bayern Munich hosts Barcelona, Real Madrid in Borussia Dortmund for Champions League semis

FRANKFURT - The Germans have been looking up to Spain for years as a football model, seeking to learn from the nation that ended Germany's hopes of winning titles in two major recent tournaments.

UEFA Champions League Semifinal: Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona Key Clashes

The UEFA Champions League moves into its final stages this week as the semifinal first legs take place, with the fixture between Bayern Munich and Barcelona in particular giving some intriguing head-to-head battles on the pitch.

Why every body love it when Barcelona lose?

They have one of the most exciting groups of players ever assembled.

Champions League: Barcelona will try 'anything' to overturn Bayern Munich, Franz Beckenbauer warns

Barcelona will try every trick in the book to overturn a 4-0 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final return leg on Wednesday, honorary Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer warned today.

Victor Valdes: My arms were too beefy for Barcelona captain’s armband

Victor Valdes has revealed he snubbed the chance to take over the Barcelona captaincy during the recent 2-2 draw with Athletico Bilbao because his arms were too big.

TITO : Messi was not injured, says Vilanova

The 44-year-old also intimated that the Argentine would have made an appearance had he believed his side still had a chance of progressing

Barcelona’s Fabregas won’t move back to Arsenal

On the 23rd of April, Bayern Munich dismantled a disoriented Barcelona side 4-0 at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of the 2012-13UEFA Champions League semi-final. Tito Vilanova took a risk by playing an unfit Lionel Messi, and Cesc Fàbregas, on the other hand, after scoring four goals in April including a hattrick against Mallorca, was left on the bench as an unused substitute.

Barcelona on title brink after beating Betis

FC Barcelona need just one more win to wrap up the Liga title after twice coming back from behind to defeat Real Betis Balompié 4-2, substitute Lionel Messi scoring twice.

Lionel Messi returns to fire Barcelona closer to La Liga title

Lionel Messi came off the substitutes' bench to score twice and help Barcelonato a 4-2 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou that moved them to within striking distance of the La Liga title.

FC Barcelona -- League champions parade

FC Barcelona -- LA LIGA champions parade

FC Barcelona - La Liga de Campeones de desfile