The tax trial against Lionel Messi got under way in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Messi and his father have been charged with three counts of tax fraud worth €4.1million dating back to a period from 2007 to 2009.
The Barcelona and Argentina star will testify personally on Thursday - just four days before his country's opening Copa America fixture against Chile in the United States - as he attempts to clear his name, but his lawyer Enrique Bacigalupo was present for the start of proceedings at the Eighth Court of Barcelona.
Messi had been set to avoid a trial on the grounds that his father Jorge Messi was apparently responsible for his son's tax obligations, but the state attorney later opted to overrule the advice of prosecutors and ordered both to take the stand.
'People will remember us because we got to No.1 in the world rankings and achieved great things - but our biggest regret is that we didn’t win anything': Ex-Everton star Kevin Mirallas opens up on 'honour' of being part of nation's golden generation
‘I’m sure we’d have finished in the top four or five if he hadn’t joined Chelsea in January. Him leaving damaged the team, but we couldn’t stand in his way’: Alan Curbishley reflects on failed Champions League dream after selling key player
