Prosecutors in Barcelona have cleared soccer star Lionel Messi of tax fraud charges, but are still seeking an 18-month prison term for his father on claims he failed to pay taxes onsecutively since 2007.

Although the overall development is considered a huge win for Messi, The Associated Press reports the fate of Jorge Horacio Messi still hangs in the balance, with prosecutors also requesting a hefty fine as part of his punishment.

The veteran athlete had been slated to face trial soon in the case after a judge recently rejected his motion to have his name dropped from the proceedings. In rendering the ruling, the judge stipulated Messi "could have been aware" of his father's alleged actions. The elder Messi serves as his son's representative and handles all of his financial dealings.

"In this type of crime, it is not necessary for someone to have complete knowledge of all the accounting and business operations nor the exact quantity, rather it is sufficient to be aware of the designs to commit fraud and consent to them," the judge wrote in the ruling.

Jorge Messi is accused of illegally selling the rights to use the image of his four-time World Player of the Year son to companies in both Belize and Uruguay. Earlier this summer, the father made a sizable payment to the government on the interest of the tax debt he is alleged to owe.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Lionel Messi and his father haveboth maintained their innocence. "We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations," said the Argentina star, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out of action for up to at least six more weeks.