8 top sports personalities named in the Panama Papers

Lionel Messi

Messi and father Jorge have both been named

The biggest name revealed in the Panama Papers, five time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is accused, with his father, of tax evasion via offshore money dealings.

Spanish digital daily En Confidential say the Messi family stand accused of setting up a tax fraud network using Panamanian company Mega Star Enterprises to avoid paying tax on image rights deals for the Argentinian international, who lends his likeness to a number of products worldwide.

Messi’s father Jorge has denied all allegations, and said he will be suing El Confidencial for defamation. Meanwhile, the family and their lawyer have denied any wrongdoing in the matter, but have yet to offer an explanation.

The AFA and Messi’s club FC Barcelona have both spoken out in support of the Argentinian international, saying they had ‘faith in his integrity.’