Messi sidesteps jail, pays $377k fine

Barca avoid Messi situation0:28

Football: Messi has re-signed with Barcelona.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi gives his thumb up just after his wedding.

The SunNews Corp Australia Network

LIONEL Messi has avoided prison after paying a £221,000 ($ 377,000) tax fraud fine — the amount he makes in just three days under his new Barcelona deal.

The Sun reports that the newly-married Argentina star will pay the higher fine rather than spending 21 months in jail.

Lionel Messi will only pay the amount he makes in just three days under his new Barcelona deal.

Lionel Messi will only pay the amount he makes in just three days under his new Barcelona deal.Source:Getty Images

Messi was found guilty in May of breaching three tax offences which came to around £3.5 million ($ 6 million) in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

He also failed to declare around £8.7 million ($ 15 million) in image rights.

The five-time Ballon d’or winner was unlikely to ever spend any time in jail — especially as Spanish law decrees any sentence under two years can be served as probation.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi and bride Antonella Roccuzzo.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi and bride Antonella Roccuzzo.Source:AFP

Messi’s father Jorge was originally given a matching 21-month sentence before it was reduced to 15.

Jorge, who acts as Messi’s agent, faced a fine of £1.1 million ($ 1.9 million).

Messi, 30, married childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo, 29, in a lavish ceremony in their homeland of Argentina last week.

Lionel Messi of Argentina will avoid jail time. Picture: Getty

Lionel Messi of Argentina will avoid jail time. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images

He capped off a life-changing week by agreeing a new £500,000-a-week deal ($ 852,000) with the Nou Camp side.

Messi is now contracted at Barca until 2021 and his contract is believed to include a £264 million ($ 450,000) release clause.

This article originally appeared in The Sun

Originally published as Messi sidesteps jail, pays $ 377k fine

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