Lionel Messi 'given 21-month jail term' in Spain
 

Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud, Spanish media say.

His father, Jorge Messi, was also given a jail term for defrauding Spain of ?4.1m (£3.2m; $4.6m) between 2007 and 2009.

During the trial, prosecutors said tax havens in Belize and Uruguay were used to conceal earnings from image rights.

But Lionel Messi said he "knew nothing" about his financial affairs.

Lionel Messi 'given 21-month jail term' in Spain - BBC News

Pretty sure he doesn't have to do the time since it's a first offender and less than 2 years total.

Yes, they actually updated the article with it:
Also

well this is a downer

LOL, Cristiano's face is priceless!

His financials must be pretty messy. Damn this is so messed up. Hopefully Messi can get himself out of this mess.

Too bad , a lot of athletes are in the same situation:2 cents: Get get stuck with charlatan advisors, in worst case they get ripped off for everything:disgust

It was his Dad, he said he just signs things and doesn't look at them. Ignorance is not a defense.

IS this actually happening though? I mean, what are the chances he will really serve time...?

It was probation sentence, sensationalist title by the "journalists".

Somehow he won't end up in jail due to the first offence law in Spain, he'll b be on probation though. I'm excited to see what the conditions of his probation are!

Thats a huge hit for the best football player on the world

Exactly, before the clickbait titles became a normal thing, you could actually find out what the news is based on the title, and now you have to click because 'you will not believe what happened to Messi' etc

It isn't legally, but in the case were someone is totally managed by someone else, it really sucks. What is he, 20s? How would he even know this stuff?