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Spanish media say Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud.

Argentina footballer Lionel Messi (right) and his father in a trial on June 2, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

His father, Jorge Messi, was also given a jail term for defrauding Spain of 4.1 million euros or 4.6 million US dollars between 2007 and 2009.

During the trial, prosecutors said tax havens in Belize and Uruguay were used to conceal earnings from image rights.

But Lionel Messi said he "knew nothing" about his financial affairs.