Lionel Messi escapes fraud case in Spain as he prepares to return to Barcelona

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    Lionel Messi has scaled over a court case in Spain despite being without a club since his long-term contract with Barcelona expired on 30 June 2021.

    It was reported earlier today that a court in Spain threw away a fraud case alleging that Lionel Messi embezzled and committed money laundering via his charity organization.

    The case was brought to the court by a fellow Argentine man who claimed to be a former staff of Messi charity organization based in Spain.

    In his case against the record 6 time Ballon d’Or winner, the man who was identified as Federico Rettori claimed that Messi usually diverts money contributed to his charity organization for his private use.

    Despite his argument, a Spanish court dismissed the case on Friday, July 16, 2021, for the second time in two years.

    Reports in Spain confirmed that the Argentine migrant who worked for Messi Charity for many years before he lost his position at the organization two years ago, dragged the footballer to court in 2019.

    In his case then, he argued that the Argentina international used the funds of his charity organization “towards various private activities or bank accounts that differed from those that were declared by the foundation”.

    Then, Federico insisted that the fund that the footballer used for his private needs “should have been directed to social causes” which he claimed the footballer failed to do.

    However, the court did not see any legal strength in his argument and the case was thrown out. Despite the invalidity of the court case then, Federico’s case was thrown out again on Friday.

    The fraud case against Lionel Messi is coming at a time FC Barcelona is trying, by all means, to retain the footballer at the club. Recall that the footballer is without a club since his contract with Barcelona expired in June.

    Earlier in July, it was reported that Messi has agreed on a deal with Barcelona but since then, the footballer is yet to officially put pen to paper and the club is yet to make any official announcement in regards to the new deal.

    Lionel Messi celebrating his Copa America medal which he won in Brazil on July 11.
    Lionel Messi celebrating his Copa America medal which he won in Brazil on July 11.

    Lionel Messi is still enjoying his holiday after helping Argentina to win Copa America on July 11. The fans of Barcelona are expecting him to return to the club before the 2021-2022 season starts.

    But his return to the Spanish club depends on Barcelona’s resolution as Messi is said to be willing to continue with his football career at Barcelona.

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