Javier Mascherano pleads guilty to tax fraud

Javier Mascherano has admitted to cheating the Spanish Tax Agency.

The versatile Argentinian pleaded guilty to two counts of tax fraud Thursday after failing to pay €587,822 in 2011 and €968,907 in 2012. The amount came in unpaid income tax and undeclared income generated from his image rights during the two years.

Mascherano, who only spent 55 minutes in court and three in front of the judge, paid the amount owed on the advice of his lawyers, according to Marca. He also paid another €200,000 in interest and was not questioned by prosecutors, who described his actions as a "strategy aimed at hiding income generated through his image rights."

Mascherano's admission means that prosecutors and the player's lawyers are expected to reach a deal to prevent the case from going to trial, and he will pay whatever fine the court imposes.

Mascherano isn't the only Barcelona player who's dealing with the taxman. Earlier this month, Spain's state attorney accused Lionel Messi of three cases of tax fraud and demanded a 22-month jail sentence.

Related: Barcelona issues statement regarding accusations of tax fraud against Lionel Messi

Similarly, the Tribunal Regional Federal da 3a Regiao, seated in Sao Paulo, froze R$188.8 million (€42.5 million) in assets belonging to Neymar, his family, and related businesses. The court alleges that Neymar evaded R$63 million (€14.2 million) in Brazilian taxes.

Related: Neymar has €42.5 million in assets frozen after alleged tax evasion

It's been a rough week for Mascherano, who was also handed a two-match ban Wednesday for a red card he received against Eibar last weekend.