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NEW: Agency for Cristiano Ronaldo says he was not trying to evade Spanish taxes
Prosecutors accuse the Real Madrid star of defrauding authorities of $16.4 million in tax
Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused by prosecutors in Spain of defrauding Spanish authorities of $16.4 million in tax between 2011 and 2014.
In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said Ronaldo, a four-time Ballon d’Or winner, had used a “business structure” – created in 2010 – to hide the revenue generated by his image rights from the Spanish treasury, describing the breach as “voluntary” and “conscious.”
The 32-year-old – the world’s highest-paid sports star according to Forbes – has been charged with four crimes against the public treasury.
The statement said the Portuguese became a Spanish tax resident in January 2010 and, in November 2011, opted to follow the Spanish tax regime that applies to foreigners working in the country.
Agency: No attempt to evade taxes
Gestifute, the agency representing the Portugal captain, said in a lengthy statement posted on its website the matter is a complex financial one.
“Cristiano’s lawyers consider that regarding what the solution to this case ends up being – as well as their consequences – they should be confined to the administrative field rather than the criminal one,” the statement said.
There was no attempt to evade taxes, Gestifute said.
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In 2016, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who for the last decade has vied with Ronaldo for the title of world’s best footballer, was fined $2.3m for defrauding the Spanish tax authorities.
The Argentine, 29, had also received a 21-month jail sentence but avoided prison as it was the forward’s first offense.
According to Forbes, Ronaldo has earned $93m over the last 12 months, with his salary accounting for $58m and endorsements $35m.
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The Real star – his club’s all-time leading scorer – has also enjoyed a stellar 12 months on the field, guiding Portugal to Euro 2016 success last summer and helping his club win the Spanish league and Champions League in the 2016/17 season.
