Backheel Breakfast: Lionel Messi likely to stand trial for tax evasion

Lionel Messi and his father have been under investigation for tax fraud for a while, and it looks like they’re going to stand trial. The FC Barcelona and Argentina star’s attorney’s had an appeal denied this week, so the case is going forward.

However, it’s not clear whether Messi actually knew anything about the alleged tax fraud. His father set up a network of companies that allegedly helped Messi avoid taxes when he was a minor, so he’s likely to argue that he wasn’t complicit and just trusted his pops with his finances.

Surprise, the 2026 World Cup bidding process has been delayed. (BBC)

If you’re bad at men’s soccer, like Canada, then you’re already starting World Cup qualifying. (MLS)

Sepp Blatter’s successor might be elected on December 16. (Telegraph)

Here’s the full Premier League retained and released list. (Mirror)

John Duerden on the American trying to rebuild Nepalese soccer. (Soccer Gods)

Leander Schaerlaeckens on the soccer star who escaped from the Taliban. (Vice)

Sean Douglass on hating slow-motion replays. (The Set Pieces)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously. It’s rumor season, so this section will be expanded, and as the summer rolls on, it will probably be bigger than the actual news section.

Bayern might ditch Mario Götze. (ESPN FC)

West Ham are going to let Slaven Bilic spend a ton of money. (Guardian)

Zlatan is willing to go back to Milan, but will PSG sell? (Gianluca Di Marzio)

Everton are going after Scott Dann. (Independent)

Yohan Cabaye might go play for Alan Pardew again. (Le Parisien)

Spurs want young forward Timo Werner. (Mirror)

France won in a boring game, and that’s not a bad thing.

Colombia and Mexico drew, likely eliminating both from the World Cup. (BBC)

Costa Rica did well to snag a draw with Spain. (Guardian)

Marta set the World Cup goals record in a win over South Korea. (BBC)

Germany vs. USA (2:45 p.m.) - Surely the USMNT can’t better their win over the Dutch.

Brazil vs. Honduras (9 p.m.) - One more warm-up game before Copa América .