This is one of those scandals that is yet another reminder as to why it’s never wise to put any sports athlete on a pedestal.

Just ask fans of Lance Armstrong or Oscar Pistorius.

Though Lionel Messi was not busted doping and thankfully hasn’t killed his girlfriend, the FC Barcelona player has become mired in a scandal that is distasteful in its own way.

Tax evasion in a world where the common man is struggling, but at least trying to pay his taxes, is an instant means of earning public contempt and inciting the wrath of the government.

Could this sentiment be why a Spanish court has decided to move forward with prosecuting Messi for evading payment of taxes?

The prosecutors in the case seemed ready to bury the hatchet. After all, after being busted for non-payment of taxes, the 27-year-old has since settled his tax issues by agreeing to pay €15 million or $19,546,500 USD.

Lionel Messi will face prosecution for tax evasion in Spain, judges have confirmed: http://t.co/BvutBk2p3o pic.twitter.com/y1ynZrkTAw

— IndyPeople (@TheIndyPeople) July 29, 2014

The gesture might be too little too late in the eyes of the Spanish court, who could be looking to make an example of the athlete.

After all, it’s highly possible that the FC Barcelona forward isn’t the only wealthy individual and or celebrity going out of his way to avoid paying his taxes in Spain.

Will Messi have to pay further financial penalties? We could be talking even more millions down the drain.

Lionel Messi owes over $5.4 million to the Spanish government, faces crippling lawsuit: http://t.co/Orb7zyTbuy pic.twitter.com/ZxgCiRHSCx

— Complex (@ComplexMag) July 28, 2014

Will he be booted out of Spain? Despite Messi’s familial connection to Barcelona, he is an Argentinian national.

The most severe penalty, the one that is MOST heavily speculated about, is whether or not the football star’s antics will land him in jail.

While jail time is always a possibility for this type of crime, Messi’s fame and overall wealth makes one skeptical about this specific outcome.

Other ticking time bombs for athletes, musicians and actors who like #MessiTax relied on agent advice for tax advice? http://t.co/FOdvHIIh2P

— David S. Lesperance (@dslesperance) August 3, 2014

It’s quite possible that the matter will be a lot of huff and puff for the sake of scaring other wealthy citizens within Spain out of even thinking about skipping out on paying taxes.

Do You Think Messi Might Get Jail Time? Comment Below!

Image via Wikimedia Commons