World’s Sweetheart, Lionel Messi Appears In Court To Testify At His Tax Fraud Trial

Lionel Messi has appeared in court in Barcelona to testify for the first time at his tax fraud trial.

The 28-year-old Argentinian footballer, who plays for Barcelona, was cheered and jeered as he emerged from a van accompanied by his father, Jorge Horacio Messi.

The two are accused of using a chain of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.16m (£3.23m) in taxes on €10.1m earned through the sale of his image rights between 2007 and 2009.

After his court appearance, the five-time world player of the year will fly to the US, for a match representing his country. We wish him all the best.