Lionel Messi 'to be tried on tax fraud charges, state wants 22 months in jail'

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will go on trial for alleged tax fraud, despite initially being dropped from the case.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner, along with his father Jorge, have been accused of avoiding payments of up to £3.1m in tax between 2007 and 2009.

Messi had the charges dropped against him earlier this week after prosecutors claimed that the footballer had no knowledge of the fraud allegedly being carried out.

However, the judge in the case has called on Messi to be tried after agreeing with the state attorney that the Barcelona star should face three counts, according to Eurosport.

The 28-year-old, who is due to appear in court in Vilanova i la Geltru, is facing 22-and-a-half months behind bars if found guilty of the offences.