Lionel Messi: Soccer star handed 21-month sentence, set to avoid prison

(Vision)The good news for soccer star Lionel Messi is that he won't be going to jail for defrauding the Spanish tax authorities. The bad news is that he's been fined $2.3 million.
A Barcelona court ruled that between 2007 and 2009, Messi was guilty of tax fraud and that for each of those three years he should serve a sentence of seven months.
However, because this was the first time the Barcelona forward had committed an offense and his sentence was less than two years, the 29-year-old Messi won't serve jail time as long as he doesn't break the law again.
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Messi's father Jorge Messi was handed a 21-month jail sentence and a $1.7 million fine tax fraud, though also like his son he won't serve time as he also doesn't have a criminal record.

Copa America final: Argentina vs. Chile
Photos: Copa America final: Argentina vs. Chile
Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo lies on the ground.
Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures surrounded by Chile's Jean Beausejour, left, Chile's Arturo Vidal and Chile's Gonzalo Jara, right.
Brazilian referee Heber Lopes red-cards Argentina's Marcos Rojo, center on the ground, for fouling Chile's Arturo Vidal, right on the ground.
Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo catches the ball.
Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, left, prepares to shoot against Chile's goalie Claudio Bravo.
Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, is fouled by Chile's Marcelo Diaz.
Chile's Eduardo Vargas is fouled by Argentina's Ramiro Funes Mori.
Chile's players celebrate after defeating Argentina in the penalty shoot-out and winning the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, June 26.
Chile's Francisco Silva celebrates scoring the deciding penalty kick.
Chile's goalie Claudio Bravo stops a shot by Argentina's Lucas Biglia (out of frame).
Chile's goalie Claudio Bravo fails to stop a shot by Argentina's Sergio Aguero, out of frame, during the penalty shoot-out.
Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures after missing his shot during the penalty shoot-out.
Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo pulls off a save following a header by Argentina's Sergio Aguero (out of frame).
Argentina's Lionel Messi is marked by Chile's Charles Aranguiz, left.
Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo lies on the ground.
Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures surrounded by Chile's Jean Beausejour, left, Chile's Arturo Vidal and Chile's Gonzalo Jara, right.
Brazilian referee Heber Lopes red-cards Argentina's Marcos Rojo, center on the ground, for fouling Chile's Arturo Vidal, right on the ground.
Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo catches the ball.
Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, left, prepares to shoot against Chile's goalie Claudio Bravo.
Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, is fouled by Chile's Marcelo Diaz.
Chile's Eduardo Vargas is fouled by Argentina's Ramiro Funes Mori.
Chile's players celebrate after defeating Argentina in the penalty shoot-out and winning the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, June 26.
Chile's Francisco Silva celebrates scoring the deciding penalty kick.
Chile's goalie Claudio Bravo stops a shot by Argentina's Lucas Biglia (out of frame).
Chile's goalie Claudio Bravo fails to stop a shot by Argentina's Sergio Aguero, out of frame, during the penalty shoot-out.
Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures after missing his shot during the penalty shoot-out.
Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo pulls off a save following a header by Argentina's Sergio Aguero (out of frame).
Argentina's Lionel Messi is marked by Chile's Charles Aranguiz, left.

After the court delivered its verdict, Barcelona issued a statement "giving all its support to Leo Messi and his father."
The statement added: "The Club, in agreement with the Government prosecution service, considers that the player, who has corrected his position with the Spanish Tax Office, is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case.
"FC Barcelona continues to be at the disposal of Leo Messi and his family to support him in whatever action he decides to take in defense of his honesty and his legal interests."
The Argentine's legal representatives argued their client had no knowledge of his tax affairs. The sentence also reflects that Messi has no previous criminal record and that he has already paid back the money he owes -- minus $23,600, which he now has to pay.
Has Messi retired from international football?
Messi is widely regarded as the best footballer on the planet and is Barca's all-time leading goalscorer. During his time with the club, Messi has won the European Champions League on four occasions and eight Spanish league titles.
After Messi exits, it gets worse for Argentina
Forbes ranked Messi as the second-highest paid athlete on the planet, earning an estimated $81.4 million last year through his salary and various endorsement deals.