ACCUSED: Messi Received £2.4million From Gabon President To Lay Foundation Stones

Lionel Messi helps lay a stone at Port-Gentil stadium in Gabon alongside president Ali Bongo

There are reports that Barcelona and Argentina star, Lionel Mess,i received at least £2.4million in cash for supporting one of the most corrupt dictators in Africa, it was claimed on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old football superstar caused outrage at the weekend when he arrived in Gabon, the former French colony, as a guest of President Ali Bongo. Messi officially laid the foundation stones for a new stadium in the city of Port-Gentil. 

But, the Barcelona and Argentina striker, who is facing trial for tax fraud in Spain, also helped with the opening of a new Bongo family restaurant, and showed full support for their regime. 'People are outraged about this,' said an opposition source in the country, which is regularly linked with corruption and human rights abuses. 'Messi should do a bit of research into what Bongo represents.'

French media reported that Messi was paid the equivalent of £2.4m for the trip, which he took with his former Barcelona team-mate, Deco.  Police in France regularly investigate allegations of corruption against the Bongo family, who are said to own up to 39 homes across the country, including in Paris.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, the current leader of Gabon is accused of plundering the nation's coffers for his personal use, and also of having committed electoral fraud to remain in power. A report by the PowerIndex research organisation rsays Omar was said to one of the world's wealthiest heads of state.

The CIA/World Factbook states that Gabon's per capita income is four times that of most sub-Saharan African nations, but a large portion of the population remains poor due to huge income inequality.