With Lionel Messi now officially a Paris Saint-Germain player the question on everyone's lips is when will we see the Argentine maestro in action in Ligue 1.
The 34-year-old completed his move to the Parisians on a free transfer on Wednesday, telling the club's supporters he is "ready to fight for all the trophies" on offer.
The thought of seeing Messi line up alongside the world's two most expensive players - Neymar and Kylian Mbappe - is a mouthwatering one, so when might we see Messi in a PSG shirt?
When is Messi's first PSG match?
PSG fans are likely to have to wait a few weeks before they see the Argentina forward in action on the pitch.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side host Strasbourg in their second Ligue 1 fixture of the new season on Saturday but it is unlikely Messi will be ready to play after having a month off after Argentina’s Copa America win.
PSG travel to Brest on August 20, but even that could come too soon. A more realistic target for Messi's PSG debut would appear to be the away trip to Reims on August 29.
Why do PSG fans need to wait so long?
Messi's future has been the subject of some conjecture since the end of last season.
He played at this summer's Copa America - Messi was instrumental as Argentina beat hosts Brazil in the final - while negotiating with Barcelona over a new long-term deal after his contract had expired, making him a free agent.
Asked about his PSG debut at his official presentation on Wednesday, Messi said: "I was on holidays and it’s very new. I spoke yesterday with the technical staff, so, maybe I need a pre-season.
“I’m going to begin to train and work and I hope I can play as soon as I can, when the staff thinks I’m OK, I’ll be ready.”
Why did Messi leave Barcelona?
Messi had agreed to stay at Barcelona for five more years, but even with a 50 per cent pay cut Barca would have fallen foul of Spain's financial rules by keeping him.
Both parties confirmed his departure on Saturday and the following day Messi held an emotional press conference in which he explained his departure, saying he had done "all he could to try and stay".
"The truth is don't know what to say," Messi said, fighting back tears. "In recent days I have given lots of thought to what I can say and the truth is that I can't think of anything.
"This is really difficult for me after so many years being here, my entire life. I'm not ready for this.
"After 21 years I'm leaving with my three Catalan Argentine kids. We've lived in this city, this is our home. I'm just really grateful for everything, all my teammates, everyone who has been by my side."
Messi's contract at PSG is reportedly worth €25 million a year, as well as a similar signing on fee.
What has been the reaction of Barcelona fans?
'Devastated' would seem to sum up the mood pretty well at Camp Nou.
Barcelona supporters gathered outside Camp Nou after hearing their hero would no longer continue at the club and several kept a vigil outside the superstar's house on Monday hoping for a last-minute twist to the saga.
Alas, it was not meant to be. Our European football correspondent Andy Mitten spoke to season ticket holders whose ire was directed at both club and player.
"The loyalty to the club towards its players and not being ruthless put Barca in this position," said one. "He felt he deserved to be paid a lot and he did lift up Barcelona, his statistics were unbelievable. But maybe he’s been greedy too," said another.
You can read their reactions here.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
More coverage from the Future Forum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now
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UAE%20SQUAD
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
