Any sentence under two years can be suspended under Spanish law, meaning Messi is expected to avoid spending a day behind bars, according to widespread reports.
Messi, one of the world’s highest-paid footballers, was tried alongside his father, Jorge, for deceiving Spain’s tax authority of 4.1m euros (£3.19m) between 2007 and 2009, Goal reports.
The forward, who recently announced his retirement from the Argentina national team, has also been fined six weeks’ wages worth £1.7 million.
The 29-year-old was accused of creating a number of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid taxation on his lucrative image rights.
Messi claimed he never suspected any wrongdoing about his financial affairs, but a court has found him and his father guilty in the crime.
The player’s father has also been given the same sentence and both can appeal through the Supreme Court.
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