Messi won't go to jail. He's rich. And other Twitter reactions

Barcelona's darling forward, Lionel Messi, and his father Jorge Messi were sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax frauds by a Spanish court on July 6. The ace footballer and his father have been punished for defrauding Spain of €4.1 million (approximately Rs 307 crore) between 2007 and 2009.

The duo will also have to pay millions of euros in fine for using Belize and Uruguay as havens to hide their fraud.

Fans, however, can rejoice as Messi is likely to avoid a jail term. According to Spanish law, a sentence below two years can be served under probation.

Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in jail for tax frauds. Reacting to the blow, Messi claimed that he had no knowledge about the said frauds and that his father had full control of his financial dealings.

As news of Messi's prison term broke out, Twitterverse erupted with reactions:

Today should be known as 'interntational no punishement if your white day' #Iraqwar #Messi #OscarPistorius

— Dave (@theNiceguyJuan) July 6, 2016

Do athletes just get away with anything? Messi sentenced (but not going) to jail for tax fraud. Pistorius - 6 yrs will probs only face 2.

— Josh Knapman (@Joshknapman) July 6, 2016

Can everyone calm down. Messi won't go to prison. Rich people don't go to prison in Spain, if not 90% of government would be. He'll get fine

— Josh Feldberg (@JoshFeldberg) July 6, 2016

Suspended sentence for Messi!!! Thanks guys. I'm going to get audited in Spain!!

— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) July 6, 2016

It's a shame we won't be seeing Vines of Messi teaching inmates the beautiful game after all #likeitwasevergonnahappen

— PaulasTweets (@T_skll) July 6, 2016

Messi and his father epitomizing indian parents mentality," Padhlo beta, playing all the time won't pay your bills (read taxes)."

— Chandrakant (@ckreddevil) July 6, 2016

When you see 18 year olds on Twitter laughing at Messi for evading taxes at the age of 17 when they don't even know what a tax is

— MJ (@BlaugranaFan27) July 6, 2016

Will Messi miss this penalty too...?

— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) July 6, 2016

Every news outlet:Headline - "MESSI IS GOING TO JAIL"Article - "Messi is not going to jail"

— Alex Wilson (@adjwilson) July 6, 2016

#Messi in a mess!! But wait.. Famous people don't go to jail. Period.So all is good with the world.

— Saleem (@_salee_m) July 6, 2016

When told #Messi will face 21 months in prison due to tax crimes pic.twitter.com/QXlvzwR8sx

— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) July 6, 2016

The Argentine had recently stepped down from international football after he missed a penalty shootout and lost to Chile in Copa America.

Post Messi's retirement, football enthusiasts around the world have pleaded with him to reconsider his decision. Even Argentinian president Mauricio Macri has asked Messi to do a re-think. This is not the first time the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year has come under scrutiny.

Earlier in April, his name had surfaced in the Panama Papers scandal. Messi's father had then refuted the allegation stating, “Lionel Messi has not participated in any of the acts in which he is being implicated."