Messi is in a mess, but at least he's not going to jail

Arguably the greatest footballer ever to grace the game, Lionel Messi has been on the wrong side of the Spanish Tax Authorities for a long time now.

The Barcelona Court finally sentenced Leo and father Jorge Messi to a 21-month jail term.

No, no, don't start partying Christiano Ronaldo fans, Messi is not going to serve prison time if that is what you are thinking.

Along with the sentence, the duo was also fined heavily. That too isn't a cause of concern for the multi-millionaire footballer.

According to Spanish Law, if a person has been sentenced with less than two years of imprisonment, one can be let off by serving a probation. It also helps if one doesn't have a pre-existing criminal record.

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Messi is safe on both counts, as the crimes that he has committed are only on the pitch against opposition goalkeepers and that doesn't count.

The duo has denied any wrongdoings from the first day itself. While Jorge said he wasn't aware of the country's protocols, Leo has maintained throughout that he only cared about playing football, scoring goals, breaking records and setting unbelievable standards for mortal footballers to follow.

The Messis seem to have messed up, but they have the option of appealing in the higher court.

Football Club Barcelona was quick to put its weight behind the brightest star in their glittering history. Of course, it has its own vested interests and things could have been different if let's say a bit part, injury-plagued player Thomas Vermaelen would have been involved in a similar incident.

And this is the same Barcelona that was entangled in its own tax fraud case with respect to its acquisition of Brazilian wonder kid Neymar.

Barca is now trying to make Messi feel that he is still more than welcome in Spain, moreover in Catalunya.

Leo retiring from the international stage after suffering yet another heartbreak with Argentina at Copa America last month is too bitter a memory to forget. A penalty miss forced Messi to hang up his unreal boots from the biggest football stage.

What Barcelona is trying to do is avoid any potential scenario that might frustrate Messi with life in Spain and force him to go looking for greener pastures.

Also read - We owe Messi the choice to exit international football

Messi has won numerous trophies for the Catalan giants, including four Champions league titles in the last decade itself.

So if Messi eventually chooses to leave, it will be mayhem in Camp Nou. No guesses, Pep Guardiola and Man City will be monitoring this situation very closely.

It may be hard for most of us to believe but no one is above the law. Period.

At least not in Spain, they aren't. Even the biggest fish has to swim through the same waters.

So after Lionel, it's now time for Jorge to retire from his post after scoring a big "own goal".