The tax trial against Lionel Messi started Tuesday in Barcelona.
Messi, 28, and his father have been charged with three counts of tax fraud worth €4.1 million (almost $4.6 million) dating back to a period from 2007-09.
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The Barcelona and Argentina star will testify personally on Thursday — just four days before his country's opening Copa America match against Chile in the United States — as he attempts to clear his name. His lawyer, Enrique Bacigalupo, was present for the start of proceedings at the Eighth Court of Barcelona.
Messi had been set to avoid a trial on the grounds that his father, Jorge Messi, apparently was responsible for his son's tax obligations, but the state attorney later opted to overrule the advice of prosecutors and ordered both to take the stand.
Meantime, Messi is recovering well from back and rib injuries ahead of the Copa America Centenario.
The Barcelona star's progress from a collision in a 1-0 friendly win Friday over Honduras is a good sign for Gerardo Martino's men, who open their Copa campaign against Chile on Monday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.