NEW DELHI: Football is a game of glory, wealth, and fame, but even the biggest stars in the sport aren’t immune to legal troubles. In recent years, several world-class footballers have found themselves on the wrong side of the law, particularly when it comes to tax evasion.
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, these players have faced hefty fines and legal battles over unpaid taxes.
Without any further ado, here are the top 5 footballers who were fined for tax evasion.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most famous footballers in the world, faced tax evasion charges during his time at Real Madrid. In 2019, the Portuguese star was ordered to pay €18.8 million in fines and was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence.
The Spanish authorities accused Ronaldo of hiding income from image rights between 2010 and 2014.
To avoid prison time, Ronaldo agreed to settle the case, paying the fine and resolving his legal woes, but the incident remains a blot on his otherwise glittering career.
2. Lionel Messi
Arguably one of the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi also found himself embroiled in a tax evasion scandal.
In 2017, Messi and his father, Jorge, were found guilty of defrauding the Spanish government of €4.1 million by hiding earnings from image rights between 2007 and 2009.
Messi received a 21-month prison sentence, which was later converted into a €252,000 fine. Like Ronaldo, Messi’s reputation was briefly tarnished by the scandal, though it didn’t affect his career trajectory.
3. Neymar Jr.
Brazilian star Neymar has also faced tax evasion allegations, both in his homeland and in Spain.
In 2016, Brazilian authorities froze Neymar’s assets, including a yacht and a private jet, after accusing him of evading taxes between 2011 and 2013.
He was fined approximately €45 million. Neymar also dealt with legal troubles following his high-profile transfer to Barcelona, where there were allegations of irregularities in his transfer fees, although those cases were settled.
4. Xabi Alonso
Former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was another footballer caught up in tax evasion controversies. Alonso was accused of failing to pay nearly €2 million in taxes related to image rights earnings during his time in Spain between 2010 and 2012.
Unlike Ronaldo and Messi, Alonso did not settle his case immediately, instead choosing to fight the charges in court.
Later, Alonso was acquitted, but the legal battle dragged on for several years, keeping him in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
5. Radamel Falcao
Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, known for his goal-scoring prowess, was accused of defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of nearly €5.66 million during his time at Atlético Madrid.
Falcao was found guilty of concealing income from image rights between 2012 and 2013.
Later, he agreed to pay a fine of €9 million to settle the charges. Like many of his peers, Falcao’s legal troubles stemmed from the complex financial structures used to manage image rights, a recurring issue in football.
The world of football brings fame, fortune, and sponsorship deals, but as these cases show, it also brings financial scrutiny.
While the players listed above have all faced significant fines and legal issues, they’ve managed to continue their successful careers. However, these tax evasion cases serve as a reminder that even the wealthiest athletes are accountable to the law.