World Best Footballer, Lionel Messi, has appeared in court to defend his tax invasion allegation, CEOAFRICA sports desk gathered.

The four times World Player of the Year was accused of evading 4.16 million euros ($5 million) in taxes in a case that took the whole world by storm.

The Barcelona FC Midfielder dressed in a dark jacket and white shirt, made no comment as he walked up to the entrance of the court in Gava, the coastal suburb of Bacelona where he lives.

His father Jorge Messi, who was summoned to go before the judge ahead of the player, had arrived an hour earlier with his lawyers.

Both of them have denied the allegation, pointing finger at the former agent of the player.

The court said Jorge Messi paid the tax authorities five million euros in August — the 4.16 million euros claimed by the taxman plus interest — which is likely to significantly reduce any sentence should they be found guilty.