The Argentine star's name was mentioned by several media outlets in line with the massive release of data linked to offshore accounts, but a statement rejected the allegations

The so-called ‘Panama Papers’ leak comprised of around 11 million confidential documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca anonymously passed to German newspaper

, which then shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.



The documents were then released Sunday April 3, in a coordinated global publication that alleged widespread tax evasion networks throughout the world - with some of the allegations linked to football.

"The Panamian company referred to in the reports is a completely inactive company, which never held open accounts nor funds and which comes from the former company structure put in place by Messi's previous financial advisers, the fiscal consequences of which have already been normalised, with all the income that comes from exploitation of his image rights, prior to and after the procedure carried out in the courts, having been declared before the Spanish Treasury.

"Additionally, in the reports certain information is linked with events that are completely unrelated, currently pending resolution, or even with cases shelved by the court, such is the case of the "charity matches".

"Without a doubt, the facts on which the information is gleaned from is based on mere conjecture and come from biased documentation, which has been released using the Messi surname and his reputation as a demand. The previous actions are especially serious since there is an accusation for crimes as serious as tax fraud and money laundering, causing irreparable damage for Lionel Messi.

"Considering the above, the Messi family has instructed their lawyers from the Cuatrecasas Goncalves Pereira legal firm to analyse the possible filing of legal action against the media outlets that have published this news."