Argentina international Messi and his father Jorge appeared at the hearing in the coastal town of Gava, where Messi lives, near Barcelonaafter being accused of defrauding the state out of £3.5 million by avoiding tax on his image rights.
The prosecution alleges the Messis set up shell companies in Uruguay and Belize to avoid paying tax in Spain.
Both men deny the charge, saying the deals, which took place between 2007 and 2009, were done by Messi's former agent without their knowledge.
The Messis have since made a payment of £4.2 million to the taxman, the alleged unpaid amount plus interest, but it has not stopped the hearing from taking place with Spanish authorities eager to clamp down given the country's financial problems.
Friday's hearing will determine whether the case is pursued further.
Source: The Telegraph,
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