Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been accused of defrauding £3.4million through false income tax returns in Spain.

The state prosecutor has taken action against the footballer and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi.

Both are accused of three offences against the public purse for allegedly defrauding millions on income tax returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The complaint, signed by prosecutor Raquel Amado, was submitted for trial at the court in Gava, the upmarket Barcelona suburb where the Argentina forward lives.

The footballing star released a statement denying any wrongdoing.

The 25-year-old Argentinian, currently on international duty in South America, swiftly insisted he had done nothing wrong in a statement on his official Facebook page.

He has won six Primera Division titles, three Champions League crowns and two FIFA Club World Cups with the Catalan giants, and in 2012 netted a record 86 goals for club and country.

Barcelona declined to comment.