Barcelona football star Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison over a tax fraud case in Spain.

However, the striker - generally considered the best in the world currently - is unlikely to face any time in jail as a term of under two years in duration usually results in a period of probation under Spanish law.

The court in Barcelona found the Argentina player and his father guilty of three offences.

Jorge Messi was also handed a 21-month prison term.

His son, who is understood to earn £26m in annual salary under his current club contract alone, was fined €2m (£1.7m).

(Sky News)