A Spanish state prosecutor is investigating midfielder Xabi Alonso for alleged tax fraud, adding his name to a growing list in Spain of athletes whose finances are under observation.
The investigation is looking into Alonso's taxes for 2010, when he played for Real Madrid before moving to his current club Bayern Munich in 2014.
Earlier this month, El Pais reported that Javier Mascherano, who has played for Barcelona since 2010, is being investigated for taxes paid for 2011 and 2012.
Mascherano has paid €1.5 million plus interest in back-taxes to Spain's fiscal authorities for failing to report earnings on image rights in 2011 and 2012, the report said.
Alonso issued a statement via his official Twitter account on Tuesday saying he has "fulfilled each and every one of his fiscal obligations."
Comunicado oficial. pic.twitter.com/j8VnkOOiqr
- Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) September 22, 2015
The office of prosecutor Jose Javier Polo has confirmed to The Associated Press that the story, which first appeared in Spanish newspaper El Mundo, is accurate and that an investigation has been requested by Spain's tax office.
In addition to Alonso and Mascherano, Spain's tax office has also launched investigations into the finances of high-profile athletes such as Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Neymar, as well as Samuel Eto'o, Iker Casillas, Luis Figo and Rafael Nadal.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.