They are mostly in shock. Or at least that’s how the Spanish
press characterize their own and the public’s reaction after authorities
on Wednesday revealed their suspicion that Lionel Messi, the best
soccer player in the world, and his father are
evading taxes.
The story, initially received with some caution by the Spanish media,
has now blown into a major scandal with the attending nationwide
coverage and commentary by everyone from the Sports Minister and
representatives of all political parties to the president of
FC Barcelona, Messi’s legendary team, other athletes and just about
every Spanish citizen.
“Naturally the law is the same for all, even for the number one,” declared the Education and Culture Minister when asked about the possibility that Messi could end in jail. “But we have to start from the presumption of innocence in this case.” he added.
Many are ready to believe Messi’s denial of any wrongdoing, including the Barça team which has closed ranks around him. “What’s most important is to confirm that we are with them, that we believe them,” declared Barça president Sandro Rosell, at a press conference.
Others have been less charitable. “A symbol under suspicion,” was the description used by the sports daily Marca of Madrid. “He cannot forget that he must play clean in the sport as in life.”
Whatever the outcome of the investigation, it’s clear that the squeaky-clean image of the previously scandal-free soccer god will never be the same. “Messi dirtied his image by cheating to avoid paying taxes,” thundered the daily El Mundo, laying out in detail how Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, his manager and agent, allegedly avoided paying more than €4 million by setting up companies in countries considered tax havens.
“How many hundreds of millions of kids want to be like Messi?” asks the newspaper in an editorial “But the idol wasn’t perfect. In fact, he seems to be far from that.” The editorial goes on to lament the destruction of the ‘Messi myth’ of humility and tranquility.
The country’s leading daily, El Pais, insists this case marks the beginning of a “financial vigilance” of Messi, citing names of other athletes troubled by Spanish tax officials, including fellow footballers Luis Figo and Samuel Eto’o, and tennis stars Rafael Nadal y Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.
But all is not lost for the legend in the court of public opinion. There are those who believe he’s being unfairly set up as an example and, as such, a victim of prosecutorial zealousness.
In any case, Messi joins a lengthening list of the rich, famous and politically powerful in Spain – among them the king, his daughter and son-in-law and the country’s prime minister - caught up in financial and tax scandals that have outraged and wearied the Spanish public. And like every one of them, Messi denies having done anything wrong or illegal.
evading taxes.
“Naturally the law is the same for all, even for the number one,” declared the Education and Culture Minister when asked about the possibility that Messi could end in jail. “But we have to start from the presumption of innocence in this case.” he added.
Many are ready to believe Messi’s denial of any wrongdoing, including the Barça team which has closed ranks around him. “What’s most important is to confirm that we are with them, that we believe them,” declared Barça president Sandro Rosell, at a press conference.
Others have been less charitable. “A symbol under suspicion,” was the description used by the sports daily Marca of Madrid. “He cannot forget that he must play clean in the sport as in life.”
Whatever the outcome of the investigation, it’s clear that the squeaky-clean image of the previously scandal-free soccer god will never be the same. “Messi dirtied his image by cheating to avoid paying taxes,” thundered the daily El Mundo, laying out in detail how Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, his manager and agent, allegedly avoided paying more than €4 million by setting up companies in countries considered tax havens.
“How many hundreds of millions of kids want to be like Messi?” asks the newspaper in an editorial “But the idol wasn’t perfect. In fact, he seems to be far from that.” The editorial goes on to lament the destruction of the ‘Messi myth’ of humility and tranquility.
The country’s leading daily, El Pais, insists this case marks the beginning of a “financial vigilance” of Messi, citing names of other athletes troubled by Spanish tax officials, including fellow footballers Luis Figo and Samuel Eto’o, and tennis stars Rafael Nadal y Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.
But all is not lost for the legend in the court of public opinion. There are those who believe he’s being unfairly set up as an example and, as such, a victim of prosecutorial zealousness.
In any case, Messi joins a lengthening list of the rich, famous and politically powerful in Spain – among them the king, his daughter and son-in-law and the country’s prime minister - caught up in financial and tax scandals that have outraged and wearied the Spanish public. And like every one of them, Messi denies having done anything wrong or illegal.
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