Things Get Messi: Footballer's Image Tarnished By Tax Fraud

International football star Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after being charged on three counts of tax fraud, according to BBC News.

Messi sentence was issued in Barcelona on Wednesday, the same city where he is adored for his soccer talents on the FC Barcelona team.

His father, Jorge Messi, was also given a sentence after being found guilty of defrauding Spain of €4.1 million between 2007 and 2009.

The father-son duo also faces millions in fines for using tax havens in Uruguay and Belize to conceal earnings from image rights.

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However, neither man is expected to serve jail time, as prison terms of less than two years can be served under probation.

FC Barcelona is standing by their superstar, in a statement reading, "FC Barcelona expresses its full support to Leo Messi and his father in relation to the conviction for tax fraud [...]The club [...] 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."

Football fans are hoping the ruling wont tarnish the career of a player some call the best of all time.