Getty Lionel Messi hasn’t had the summer of his life.
He’s decided to hang up his boots on the international front after missing a penalty for Argentina in the Copa America final, and now he’s been handed a 21 month sentence for tax evasion.
Luckily for him, the sentence is suspended, and he won’t actually be going to prison.
Despite that, the internet obviously reacted in style, given he’s arguably the best footballer ever – and of course team Cristiano piped up.
Here’s what went down:
People weren’t happy his sentence was suspended…
Lionel Messi to miss yet another penalty… pic.twitter.com/RP0ZHafM4D
— Copa90 (@Copa90) July 6, 2016
Lionel Messi counting the number of years he dodged from prison?? pic.twitter.com/RSaWh8hGKV
— Football Feast (@FootieFeasts) July 6, 2016
Real Madrid fans finding out Lionel Messi will avoid prison… pic.twitter.com/CVXO8tR3Rr
— Copa90 (@Copa90) July 6, 2016
Anyway, of course tax fraud is serious crime, but the person really responsible for doing Messi's taxes is not Messi. As with every big star
— Jen Evelyn (@JenFCB) July 6, 2016
He probably won’t live this down…
Can't blame Messi being charged guilty for tax fraud, the poor lads only scrapping by on about 300 grand per week
— Dan Ginger (@DanGingerx) July 6, 2016
Messi handed suspended jail sentence. Meaning if he racks up 5 yellow cards in La Liga next season…he'll be off to prison.
— Coral (@Coral) July 6, 2016
His teammates got a mention…
Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Neymar both in trouble for tax evading. Must be all that tiki-taxa they teach them in that academy.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 6, 2016
The jokes won’t be stopping for a while…
Lionel Messi handed jail term in Spain for tax fraud.
They first just gave him a penalty, but he missed that.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) July 6, 2016
Messi behind the bars, in the net for tax evasion pic.twitter.com/Qgb2EpGR1X
— SemperFiUnited (@SemperFiUnited) July 6, 2016
