Panama Papers: Lionel Messi set to sue Spanish newspaper for tax evasion claims

Lionel Messi is accused of "setting up a tax fraud network" by using Panamian company Mega Star Enterprises in the Panama Papers leak.

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Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is slated to sue the Spanish media outlet in relation to the Panama Papers expose. (Source: AP)

Among the many names to feature in the Panama Papers leak is that of Barcelona and Argentina player Lionel Messi. He is accused of “setting up a tax fraud network” by using Panamian company Mega Star Enterprises. With the major expose, the Argentine is set to sue the Spanish media outlet which was part of the investigation that panned numerous media outlets across the globe.

The papers accessed and leaked by El Confidencial highlight Lionel Messi and his father Jorge of having signed the documents in acquiring the dormat Mega Star Enterprises via a Uruguayan buffer company. For these allegations, Messi and his father are set to sue the Madrid based daily, claims Barcelona based SPORT.

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This only adds to Messi’s problems off the field with the father-son set to stand trial on May 31 for tax evasion worth 4.1 million Euros during the 2007-2009 period. The trial is expected to last a week which will affect the Argentine’s preparations for the Copa America.

The player and his father are expected to issue a statement and express their opinion regarding the case and the veracity of the claims made.

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As per the Panama Papers leak, Mega Star Enterprises , the offshore company owned by Messi and his father at least as far back as 2013 , is not mentioned in the Spanish government’s 2014 and 2015 indictments against the pair. The leaked records show Messi signed at least one document reflecting his ownership of the entity, but his father took over sole ownership of the company in December 2015. The company remains active in Panama’s company register.

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