PSG's Lionel Messi scores from a stunning overhead kick in the Ligue 1 match against Clermont at Stade Gabriel Montpied on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Reuters
PSG's Lionel Messi scores from a stunning overhead kick in the Ligue 1 match against Clermont at Stade Gabriel Montpied on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring the fourth goal with Neymar. Reuters
Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring the fourth goal with Neymar. Reuters
Lionel Messi was on song for PSG against Clermont at Stade Gabriel Montpied. AFP
Lionel Messi was on song for PSG against Clermont at Stade Gabriel Montpied. AFP
Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi celebrates with Neymar after scoring. EPA
Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi celebrates with Neymar after scoring. EPA
Neymar was in top form against Clermont on Saturday. EPA
Neymar was in top form against Clermont on Saturday. EPA
Neymar celebrates with Achraf Hakimi after scoring against Clermont. AFP
Neymar celebrates with Achraf Hakimi after scoring against Clermont. AFP
Achraf Hakimi scored PSG's second goal on Saturday. EPA
Achraf Hakimi scored PSG's second goal on Saturday. EPA
Achraf Hakimi scores against Clermont at Stade Gabriel Montpied. AFP
Achraf Hakimi scores against Clermont at Stade Gabriel Montpied. AFP
Marquinhos at Stade Gabriel Montpied. AFP
Marquinhos at Stade Gabriel Montpied. AFP

Sport

Football

Messi and Ronaldo on divergent paths in latest chapter of great rivalry

Argentine star had made a positive start to season at PSG while Portuguese legend is having a tough time at Old Trafford

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

August 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

There are few untried tricks in Lionel Messi’s vast portfolio of skills. But the overhead volley he used to score his third goal of the season so far for Paris Saint-Germain is, it seems, the first of that type in all the 772 he has netted in his senior career. He took it elegantly, cushioning the ball on his chest before rolling backwards into a half-somersault and connecting cleanly with his left foot.

Because it was Messi, points of comparison were sought. Pele, the greatest South American goalscorer of the last century, struck some dazzling scissor-kick goals during his prolific career. But this being Messi, the goal was inevitably, instantly analysed through the lens of spectacular goals catalogued by Messi’s chief contemporary rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

A little over four years ago, in a Champions League quarter-final at Juventus, Ronaldo struck a superb overhead volley to push Real Madrid towards a third European Cup in succession. Some place it among the top three of all Ronaldo’s 815 senior goals. Juventus fans spontaneously stood to applaud. Ronaldo remembered that generosity when he joined Juventus the following summer.

It did not take long for commentators to make direct comparisons between Messi’s ‘chilena’ goal at the weekend and Ronaldo’s for Madrid at Juventus. Even Ronaldo’s sister posted on the subject, and outlined some key distinctions.

Ronaldo had leapt high to meet the cross for his wonderstrike; Messi had his right foot grounded when he connected. Ronaldo’s breathtaking volley was struck, first touch, in a high-stakes knockout game against the Italian champions; Messi’s came at the end of a 5-0 victory against Clermont in a French league PSG routinely dominate.

Manchester United v Brighton ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 5 - Busy from the start. Needlessly gave possession back to Brighton on 16 minutes and could have done better for the second. And all this against a side who had lost 12 and drawn two of their previous 14 games at Old Trafford. AP
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 5 - Busy from the start. Needlessly gave possession back to Brighton on 16 minutes and could have done better for the second. And all this against a side who had lost 12 and drawn two of their previous 14 games at Old Trafford. AP
Diogo Dalot 5 - Lost the ball for the first time after 8 seconds, which led to Brighton’s first chance as United conceded another goal from a cross and cut back. Balls played inside him and he doesn’t look comfortable defending, but he’s better in attack and his header led to United’s first goal. Shot on target after 73 minutes. Reuters
Diogo Dalot 5 - Lost the ball for the first time after 8 seconds, which led to Brighton’s first chance as United conceded another goal from a cross and cut back. Balls played inside him and he doesn’t look comfortable defending, but he’s better in attack and his header led to United’s first goal. Shot on target after 73 minutes. Reuters
Harry Maguire 6 - Well supported by fans inside the stadium and tried to do the same to the team he captains. Tussling with Trossard and booked for it at the start of the second half. Busied himself, but Brighton battered United in the middle in the first half. Getty
Harry Maguire 6 - Well supported by fans inside the stadium and tried to do the same to the team he captains. Tussling with Trossard and booked for it at the start of the second half. Busied himself, but Brighton battered United in the middle in the first half. Getty
Lisandro Martinez 5 - Neatly beat Lallana after controlling the ball at 0-0, but welcome to the Premier League. Heavy touches. Clumsy challenge on Welbeck, who had the better of him, looked like a penalty. Shot from distance after 75 and again ten minutes later before a Dunk block. EPA
Lisandro Martinez 5 - Neatly beat Lallana after controlling the ball at 0-0, but welcome to the Premier League. Heavy touches. Clumsy challenge on Welbeck, who had the better of him, looked like a penalty. Shot from distance after 75 and again ten minutes later before a Dunk block. EPA
Luke Shaw 5 - Went with the runner but unable to stop Gross’ opener. Booked after 73. Well short of the required standard and he now has Malacia for competition. PA
Luke Shaw 5 - Went with the runner but unable to stop Gross’ opener. Booked after 73. Well short of the required standard and he now has Malacia for competition. PA
Fred 4 - Played in the holding midfielder role after a positive pre-season, but it wasn’t a positive afternoon for him. Set Rashford free, then gave the ball away, before winning it back, on eight minutes. Tried his luck from distance after 35. No reaction to stop Brighton’s second and brought off after 52 – he wasn’t happy. AFP
Fred 4 - Played in the holding midfielder role after a positive pre-season, but it wasn’t a positive afternoon for him. Set Rashford free, then gave the ball away, before winning it back, on eight minutes. Tried his luck from distance after 35. No reaction to stop Brighton’s second and brought off after 52 – he wasn’t happy. AFP
Scott McTominay 4 - Set up Fernandes with a fine early chance. Booked for a heavy challenge on Caicedo after 26. Overrun in midfield as Brighton busted Ten Hag’s central overload. Gave the ball away at the start of the second. Clear to see why Ten Hag wants Frenkie de Jong. Getty
Scott McTominay 4 - Set up Fernandes with a fine early chance. Booked for a heavy challenge on Caicedo after 26. Overrun in midfield as Brighton busted Ten Hag’s central overload. Gave the ball away at the start of the second. Clear to see why Ten Hag wants Frenkie de Jong. Getty
Jadon Sancho 5 - Fine ball across the pitch to Eriksen after 23. Improved towards the end on the right, but too peripheral overall and ultimately disappointing after a bright pre-season. Reuters
Jadon Sancho 5 - Fine ball across the pitch to Eriksen after 23. Improved towards the end on the right, but too peripheral overall and ultimately disappointing after a bright pre-season. Reuters
Bruno Fernandes 5 - Swept a 6th minute shot over when he should have hit the target. Poor cross on 18. Creative but too wasteful. Must do better. PA
Bruno Fernandes 5 - Swept a 6th minute shot over when he should have hit the target. Poor cross on 18. Creative but too wasteful. Must do better. PA
Marcus Rashford 5 - When he failed to control a ball just after half time it summed up where United are at. Shot wide after 49 and then shot – but was well saved by Sanchez on 60. Connected with a Fernandes cross on 65 but could have done better. Getty
Marcus Rashford 5 - When he failed to control a ball just after half time it summed up where United are at. Shot wide after 49 and then shot – but was well saved by Sanchez on 60. Connected with a Fernandes cross on 65 but could have done better. Getty
Christian Eriksen 7 - Played as a false nine in the first half and should have done better with his shot after an early counter attack. Fired a 48th minute shot across goal towards Rashford. Dropped deeper and became more effective as he had the best United shot of the game after 66. He can build play well and his assist record is impressive, but it’s doubtful he should be used as the most forward player. EPA
Christian Eriksen 7 - Played as a false nine in the first half and should have done better with his shot after an early counter attack. Fired a 48th minute shot across goal towards Rashford. Dropped deeper and became more effective as he had the best United shot of the game after 66. He can build play well and his assist record is impressive, but it’s doubtful he should be used as the most forward player. EPA
SUBS: Cristiano Ronaldo 6 - On for Fred and crossed for Rashford from the right. Got in the right positions, urged the crowd on for more support. United improved with him on the pitch, but not enough to get back in the game. EPA
SUBS: Cristiano Ronaldo 6 - On for Fred and crossed for Rashford from the right. Got in the right positions, urged the crowd on for more support. United improved with him on the pitch, but not enough to get back in the game. EPA
Donny van de Beek 6 - On for McTominay after 77. Lovely touch to Sancho on 82, where United found the most space. Getty
Donny van de Beek 6 - On for McTominay after 77. Lovely touch to Sancho on 82, where United found the most space. Getty
Anthony Elanga N/A On for Fernandes after 89. AP
Anthony Elanga N/A On for Fernandes after 89. AP
Tyrell Malacia N/A On for Shaw after 89. Reuters
Tyrell Malacia N/A On for Shaw after 89. Reuters
Alejandro Garnacho N/A On for Sancho after 89. He’s been training well. AFP
Alejandro Garnacho N/A On for Sancho after 89. He’s been training well. AFP
BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez 8 – Outside of a poorly timed mistake for the goal, Sanchez pulled off a few world class saves to keep the Seagulls in control. Getty
BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez 8 – Outside of a poorly timed mistake for the goal, Sanchez pulled off a few world class saves to keep the Seagulls in control. Getty
Joel Veltman 7 – Got dragged out of position from time to time but overall, utilised his physicality and had some nice reactions when in tough situations. EPA
Joel Veltman 7 – Got dragged out of position from time to time but overall, utilised his physicality and had some nice reactions when in tough situations. EPA
Lewis Dunk 8 – Covered loose passages of play well and used his imposing size to make some really nice blocks. PA
Lewis Dunk 8 – Covered loose passages of play well and used his imposing size to make some really nice blocks. PA
Adam Webster 8 – Grew into the game after looking nervy early on and saved Brighton on more than one occasion. Getty
Adam Webster 8 – Grew into the game after looking nervy early on and saved Brighton on more than one occasion. Getty
Solly March 8 – Forced a good save for the second goal, had a cracking work ethic and was as determined as anyone on the pitch. EPA
Solly March 8 – Forced a good save for the second goal, had a cracking work ethic and was as determined as anyone on the pitch. EPA
Alexis Mac Allister 6 – Did well playing deeper than usual but made a big mistake that helped make it 2-1, and he probably could’ve done better with his decision making. Reuters
Alexis Mac Allister 6 – Did well playing deeper than usual but made a big mistake that helped make it 2-1, and he probably could’ve done better with his decision making. Reuters
Moises Caicedo 8 – Played a top through ball for the second goal and read the game beautifully with some great football IQ. PA
Moises Caicedo 8 – Played a top through ball for the second goal and read the game beautifully with some great football IQ. PA
Leandro Trossard 9 – The positional play of the Belgian was matched only by his brilliant urgency and cardio from start to finish. EPA
Leandro Trossard 9 – The positional play of the Belgian was matched only by his brilliant urgency and cardio from start to finish. EPA
Pascal Gross 9 – Got into incredible spots on two occasions to grab the vital brace that helped Brighton to victory. AP
Pascal Gross 9 – Got into incredible spots on two occasions to grab the vital brace that helped Brighton to victory. AP
Adam Lallana 8 – Helped to string things together and put on the performance of a composed veteran. Getty
Adam Lallana 8 – Helped to string things together and put on the performance of a composed veteran. Getty
Danny Welbeck 8 – Squared the ball for a nice assist, got after United’s back four at every available opportunity and was a constant thorn in his former club’s side. Getty
Danny Welbeck 8 – Squared the ball for a nice assist, got after United’s back four at every available opportunity and was a constant thorn in his former club’s side. Getty
SUBS: Tariq Lamptey, N/A – Constantly hounded United down the flank and did a great job of keeping the ball for his side. AFP
SUBS: Tariq Lamptey, N/A – Constantly hounded United down the flank and did a great job of keeping the ball for his side. AFP
Levi Colwill N/A – Was active and pushing the tempo during his brief cameo in the final minutes at Old Trafford. PA
Levi Colwill N/A – Was active and pushing the tempo during his brief cameo in the final minutes at Old Trafford. PA
Enock Mwepu N/A – Was steady, controlled and calm after coming on to help steady the ship in the middle of the park. AFP
Enock Mwepu N/A – Was steady, controlled and calm after coming on to help steady the ship in the middle of the park. AFP
Deniz Undav N/A – Came on to help kill the last few seconds of the game for the visitors. Getty
Deniz Undav N/A – Came on to help kill the last few seconds of the game for the visitors. Getty

It all made for a fresh episode of chatter in what has been one of elite sport’s most vivid debates - Messi or Ronaldo? - for over a decade but a duel that has lost some of its voltage lately.

In the last 12 months, the enduring assumption that they are the finest pair of footballers on the planet has been challenged as strongly as any time since 2008. This year’s Men’s Ballon D’Or, held by either Ronaldo or Messi for 12 of its last 13 editions, will probably have neither on the podium for the first time in 16 years.

Yet there’s little question which of the two is the more cheerful as an epoch-defining season, with perhaps a last World Cup for either in the middle of it, gets under way.

A year after Messi departed, tearfully, from a Barcelona where he had spent all his adult career but who told them they could no longer afford him, he seems more content at PSG than at any time. In his two outings so far in 2022-23, the 4-0 Trophee des Champions win over Nantes and the dismantling of Clermont, he has been involved in four PSG goals.

In the whole of last season, Messi scored just six times in French domestic competition; he is already halfway to that total. “Last year was hard, he was still getting used to things,” said Christophe Galtier, the new PSG head coach. “When Messi smiles, PSG smiles.”

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United. Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United. Getty Images

Over in Manchester, Ronaldo spent the weekend frowning. He was on the bench for the first 52 minutes of his second season since his return to Manchester United and finished on the losing side at Old Trafford against Brighton.

Ronaldo missed much of pre-season and has made it plain he wants to leave United before the close of the transfer window, mostly in order to play Champions League football. His 18 Premier League goals last term were not enough to lift United into the top four.

Among other things, he looks over his shoulder and sees that Messi, who will be targeting a long run in the Champions League with PSG, is only 16 goals shy of Ronaldo’s all-time record of 141 goals in that competition. A blank year for CR7 would almost certainly narrow that gap.

The difficulty is that the kinds of clubs who might promise Ronaldo a strong season in the Champions League are not jostling to prise him away from United. A reunion with Real Madrid is far-fetched, a return to Juventus even less likely.

Messi, by contrast, last week heard the Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, say he would like the club legend to return, one day, as a Barca player. Messi, tied to PSG at least until next summer, did not respond. He is busy finding his groove in Paris.

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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

On Women's Day
Tomorrow 2021
Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

SPECS
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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

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How to donate

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.

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Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

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Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

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Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE

Looking for a new family pet? Here are the links to visit when it comes to adopting... 

Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi

Rescue of Abu Dhabi

Feline Friends Abu Dhabi

Adopt-a-Cat UAE

Naema's Kittys 

Jackie's Cats UAE

Animal Action UAE

Animal Welfare Al Ain

Yanni Animal Welfare

Animals and Us Fujairah

Arabian Saluki Center of Dubai (Ascod)

38 Smiles

Emirates Animal Welfare Society

Red Paw Foundation 

KittySnip

Saluki International Rescue

K9 Friends Dubai 

Amanda's Animal Rescue UAE

Ahmed's Animal Rescue

Al Mayya K9 Adoptions 

New Life Rescue

Rescue Animals in Need United Arab Emirates

Stray Dogs Center UAQ

Sniff - Strays Needing Interim of Furever Friends

PARA UAE - Protection of Animal Rights Association

Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre

Shepherd Rescue Arabia

Friends of Rakawc 

UAQAC Umm Al Quwain Animal Care

While you're here
The biog

Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed

Age: 34

Emirate: Dubai

Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here

Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
​​​​​​​Penguin 

Updated: August 09, 2022, 2:35 AM`
Lionel MessiCristiano RonaldoParis Saint-GermainManchester United