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BARCELONA. — Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father’s trial for tax fraud will begin on May 31 at a court in Barcelona, a regional superior court said yesterday.

Messi, recently crowned Ballon d’Or winner for a record fifth time, and his father Jorge have been charged with tax fraud for allegedly failing to declare 4.16 million euros ($4.69 million) in taxes related to his image rights between 2007 and 2009.

Meanwhile, he was recently again named the best footballer on the planet and now Barcelona star Messi has set his sights on an even bigger prize — the end of poverty. The Argentine and Colombian singer Shakira head a list of 17 well-known names recruited by the United Nations to promote its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). — AFP.