BARCELONA: Lionel Messi may be untouchable out on the pitch but he may prove less elusive off it now that the Spanish tax authorities are his latest pursuers.

Reports in the Spanish media claim that Barcelona’s European leagues’ top scorer and his agent/father are under investigation over three years’ unpaid tax on his image rights.

Sources close to the Spanish tax office have indicated that accounts for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are being reviewed with the intention of securing at least E4m from the FIFA World Player of the Year.

A statement on behalf of Messi said he had “always fulfilled my tax obligations.”

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