It takes a lot, it seems, to draw a smile out of Robert Lewandowski now that the winter has closed in and supporters are being kept away from German stadiums. Television viewers note that his last few goals have not been celebrated with his trademark gestures nor barely a grin.
Look carefully, though, on Friday at the reaction, should the most reliable elite marksman currently at work end his extraordinary 2021 with a 69th competitive goal for the calendar year. That would take him to the same tally as Cristiano Ronaldo registered for 2013. Notch up a double against Wolfsburg in the last fixture before the Bundesliga goes into its mid-season break and Lewandowski would eclipse Ronaldo’s record.
It may be that the lack of fans in stadiums, because of reinforced public health protocols, have dampened 33-year-old Lewandowski’s enthusiasm for the post-goal celebration. He has tried-and-tested rituals - fists pressed together; arms crossing his chest with fingers pointing upwards - but none were on show after his brace in Bayern’s 5-0 victory over Stuttgart on Tuesday.
Two goals in a match may simply have come to seem routine. He started his sensational year with a double against Mainz. There have been eight further braces since for Bayern, plus a quartet of two-goals-in-a-match for Poland. And hat-tricks? Five so far in 2021.
All of which contributed to Lewandowski being named Striker of the Year at Ballon D’Or ceremony earlier this month, a prize that felt like the organisers’s compensation for Lewandowski’s not winning the vote for the Ballon D’Or itself, which went to Lionel Messi for the seventh time in Messi’s career.
It is hard not to feel for the Pole for finishing second in the year the award resumed, after a 2020 when it had been cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As Messi said, Lewandowski should have won it in 2020. A factor in Messi’s edging him into runners-up spot a year later was Messi’s having captained Argentina to victory in the delayed Copa America. For all Lewandowski’s many goals for Poland, his country are not candidates to win major titles.
Until Lewandowski reached his 30s, the sort of surreal goalscoring statistics Messi and Ronaldo used to trump one another with seemed exclusively theirs. Messi’s 91 goals for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012 is the outlier number, and marked one of three different years when he has passed 50. Ronaldo has also exceeded a half-century of goals in a single year three times. But Lewandowski has joined them on the more refined list. Once each they have passed 60 goals for a calendar year.
A striker can only reach those summits with team-mates well-tuned to their wavelength. Ominously for any opponent who imagines the Lewandowski juggernaut may soon be slowing down, the most enduring sharer of Lewandowski celebrations, be they subdued or ecstatic, is also peaking as a provider of assists.
Thomas Muller has just set a new landmark for the number of goal-making passes in the first half of a Bundesliga season. He assisted for the 12th time in 16 matches against Stuttgart.
Muller’s part in Lewandowksi’s charge into the history books can hardly be understated. In seven and a half seasons as colleagues, Muller and Lewandowski have directly combined for 75 goals. This year they have helped one another to 13. Sometimes they come across as an unlikely duet - the wiry, inelegant Muller, 32, and the sleek, primed Lewandowski; the German chatterbox and the Pole who is cool and understated - but beware the Bayern head coach who doubts the benefit one provides for the other.
Julian Nagelsmann, appointed Bayern’s head coach last summer, is the first to credit them for the records that are heading his way. He has already overseen a new high for goals in the first half of a league campaign - the Wolfsburg match, the 17th of a 34-game season, will mark the midpoint - with the 52 Bayern have scored so far.
It puts them on par to, by May, eclipse the 101 Bayern scored in the 1971-72 league campaign. Lewandowski has now equalled the 42 Bundesliga goals Bayern’s Gerd Muller scored in the year 1972, having last season beaten Gerd's long-standing record of 40 goals in a season.
Breaking that mark, on the last day of 2020-21, led to exuberant celebrations, shirt ripped off, beaming smiles. Nagelsmann is confident new records will stimulate the same buoyant displays again. And again and again. “He’s been in a good mood and the body language is good,” says his coach. “I’ve seen no change in his hunger for goals.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDirect%20Debit%20System%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sept%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20with%20a%20subsidiary%20in%20the%20UK%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elaine%20Jones%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
