Messi calm over tax evasion case

Barcelona star Lionel Messi says he is “very calm” despite facing allegations of tax evasion from Spanish authorities.

The Argentina international is expected to appear in court in September to answer accusations of fraud regarding earnings relating to the sale of his image rights.

But Messi insists he is unconcerned by the case – in which he is accused of owing €4million – and expects it to be dealt with by his financial advisors.

“I am very calm,” he said. “I never take care of that stuff myself and neither does my father.

“We have our lawyers and our wealth managers to take care of that and we trust them and they will sort this out. The truth is that I don’t have a clue about all this and that is why we have people taking care of it.”

The 25-year-old’s father Jorge also stands accused of being complicit in the fraud, and both men could face up to six years in jail if found guilty.

Messi is currently taking part in pre-season training with Barca, who face Lechia Gdansk on Saturday in Poland.