Argentinean soccer star Lionel Messi has paid $13 million in back taxes

Argentinean soccer star Lionel Messi has paid $13 million in back taxes to the Spanish governmentand is looking to settle an alleged $5 million debt that led to tax fraud accusations, Arguably the world’s best soccer star recently made a payment of 10 million euros, which covered his image rights for 2010 and 2011, Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia reported. The Spanish paper suggested the player is looking to reach an agreement on the 4.1 million euros he allegedly owes the government. The payment could help Messi and his father, Jorge, avoid a court appearance Sept. 17 in Gava. Father and son, along with their financial advisers, have denied accusations that they illegally funneled money to offshore accounts to avert paying taxes. Last week, Messi's lawyers insisted the tax fraud allegations are baseless but say he will settle any outstanding obligations, if needed. Law firm Juarez Veciana said in a statement that the Barcelona forward "scrupulously complies with Spanish legislation." "We declare that our client will pay the amount determined," Messi's lawyers said. "But we believe that our client has alreadypaid what was legally obliged." The state prosecutor alleges Messi and his father used shell companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on revenues from image rights. The complaint lists Messi's sponsors from the period, which are also under investigation. They include Barcelona, Adidas, Danone, Konami, Procter & Gamble, Pepsi-Cola and Telefonica,among several others.