More details have emerged about the DEA investigation linking Lionel Messi to a money laundering scheme. According to a protected witness, a number of friendly matches celebrated in the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Perú were funded by Colombian and Mexican drug cartels, which are also linked to the ongoing tax fraud investigation made by Spanish authorities.
The witness indicated that these matches were specifically organized by the Lionel Messi Foundation, which was supposed to benefit children around the world. The foundation was led by Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, although it is yet unclear whether he had any knowledge about his associates. During those games, the presence of other Barcelona players such as Javier Mascherano, Daniel Alves and Jose Manuel Pinto was requested by those in charge of putting together the "Messi and Friends" tour.
Regarding the matter, Lionel Messi's Foundation stated that there will be no further comment about this.
"What needed to be said was stated months ago. We have proved that the Foundation has nothing to do with this allegations."
Messi, during the match held in Chicago.
The witness' statement come during a time in which the Spanish authorities have stated the player will have to go on trial for the tax evasion probe that investigates his contributions from 2011 to 2013. Barcelona's superstar has already paid four million euros to the Spanish IRS for any wrongdoing, but the country's tax authorities are unconvinced about his claim regarding he was not aware of any business decisions taken by his father.
The player has not made any statement on the matter, since he will be playing with Argentina against Colombia later today for the Copa América Quarter-finals.
