Barcelona Player sentenced to 21 months in prison

Two days after Lionel Messi was hit with a 21 month suspended sentence for tax evasion, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu offered some words of support for the beleaguered star on social media on Friday.

Bartomeu, who has had to contend with legal issues of his own this week, took to Twitter to make clear that the club would continue to stand by the Argentine no matter the circumstances.

"Leo, whoever attacked you is attacking the club and its history," Bartomeu said.

"We will defend you right to the end- always together!"