Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after scoring the opening goal in the 7-2 Champions League win against Maccabi Haifa at the Parc des Princes in Paris on October 25, 2022. AFP
Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after scoring the opening goal in the 7-2 Champions League win against Maccabi Haifa at the Parc des Princes in Paris on October 25, 2022. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates after scoring PSG's second goal. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates after scoring PSG's second goal. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring. AFP
PSG's Neymar, right, celebrates with Messi after scoring the third goal. AP
PSG's Neymar, right, celebrates with Messi after scoring the third goal. AP
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal. AP
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal. AP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring PSG's fifth goal. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring PSG's fifth goal. AFP
Mbappe celebrates the fifth. AFP
Mbappe celebrates the fifth. AFP
Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Achraf Hakimi celebrate their sixth, an own goal scored by Maccabi Haifa's Sean Goldberg. Reuters
Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Achraf Hakimi celebrate their sixth, an own goal scored by Maccabi Haifa's Sean Goldberg. Reuters
PSG's Carlos Soler scored their seventh against Maccabi Haifa. EPA
PSG's Carlos Soler scored their seventh against Maccabi Haifa. EPA
Abdoulaye Seck scored a couple of consolation goals for Maccabi Haifa. EPA
Abdoulaye Seck scored a couple of consolation goals for Maccabi Haifa. EPA

Sport

Football

Messi, Neymar and Mbappe taking PSG to an 'exceptional level'

The Fab Three are all firing on top form and the impending World Cup is coach Christophe Galtier's only concern

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

October 26, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

In the vast portfolio of Lionel Messi’s career goals, there are not too many you can call atypical.

He has won a Champions League final with a header. He’s scored on the sly with his hand in the days before VAR was better at detecting these things.

But a curled finish from the outside of his boot is a relative rarity. He’ll be delighted to have scored such a collectors’ item of a goal on his 50th appearance for Paris Saint-Germain.

The result that confirmed the French league-leaders’ place in the last 16 of the Champions League grabbed attention too, a 7-2 win over Maccabi Haifa, who in their previous European outing had beaten Juventus.

Messi contributed two goals and assisted twice, the star of a swaggering show from the most celebrated striking trio in club football. Here were Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar combining, sharing and thriving together to present a compelling counter-argument to reports there is tension between two of them, Mbappe and Neymar.

Certainly there are spaces on the field that each of PSG’s Fab Three would all prefer to attack. Pity the defenders charged with marshalling the opposition's inside-left channel at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. From there, Messi opened the scoring with his Luka Modric-style curler. From a very similar position, Mbappe made it 2-0, arching in a shot from his right instep. Neymar attacked similar territory for PSG’s third goal, his effort ricocheting past goalkeeper Cohen from the inside of a post. After half-time, Mbappe struck their fifth from the same channel.

The gaps there had in each case been carefully worked by the off-the-ball running of one or two of PSG’s forwards, or the quick fire interchanges between various of the so-called ‘MNM’, as Messi-Neymar-Mbappe are known. They are as lethal a weapon as they ever have been. So far this season, they have between them scored 40 of PSG’s 50 goals across competitions; they are also top (Messi, with 12), second (Neymar, with 10) and third (Mbappe, on four) in the rankings for assists.

PSG ratings v Maccabi Haifa

PSG RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6. Although a bystander for much of the game, Donnarumma could do little to save his clean sheet when Abdoulaye Seck was twice left unmarked from set pieces to head home both times. AFP
PSG RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6. Although a bystander for much of the game, Donnarumma could do little to save his clean sheet when Abdoulaye Seck was twice left unmarked from set pieces to head home both times. AFP
Achraf Hakimi – 7. The Moroccan right-back increasingly advanced on the wing in the second half, helping to create both the fifth and sixth goal. He had a decent opportunity in the second half to score when he broke free in the box, but he was unable to get the ball from under his feet before Josh Cohen collected it. EPA
Achraf Hakimi – 7. The Moroccan right-back increasingly advanced on the wing in the second half, helping to create both the fifth and sixth goal. He had a decent opportunity in the second half to score when he broke free in the box, but he was unable to get the ball from under his feet before Josh Cohen collected it. EPA
Sergio Ramos – 7. Confident performance in the centre of defence. Cleared a ball into the box when Hakimi was beaten by Cornud’s trickery. Booked. AFP
Sergio Ramos – 7. Confident performance in the centre of defence. Cleared a ball into the box when Hakimi was beaten by Cornud’s trickery. Booked. AFP
Marquinhos – 7. The PSG captain (top row, second from right) was calm and collected at the back but looked frustrated by his team’s sideways passing moves going forward. At one time, he looked to get in on the goalscoring action when he continued a run into the box before Hakimi decided to take a shot. AFP
Marquinhos – 7. The PSG captain (top row, second from right) was calm and collected at the back but looked frustrated by his team’s sideways passing moves going forward. At one time, he looked to get in on the goalscoring action when he continued a run into the box before Hakimi decided to take a shot. AFP
Juan Bernat – 6. Struggled to clear the danger when Seck drilled forward into the final third before Marquinhos cleared, but on the whole he got his foot into his fair share of tackles and linked well with Mbappe. AP
Juan Bernat – 6. Struggled to clear the danger when Seck drilled forward into the final third before Marquinhos cleared, but on the whole he got his foot into his fair share of tackles and linked well with Mbappe. AP
Vitinha – 6. Dispossessed often in PSG’s midfield, including in the second half to kickstart a Maccabi Hafia attack and gift Frantzdy Pierrot a heading opportunity. Vitinha grew into the game and thrived as PSG enjoyed the second half. AP
Vitinha – 6. Dispossessed often in PSG’s midfield, including in the second half to kickstart a Maccabi Hafia attack and gift Frantzdy Pierrot a heading opportunity. Vitinha grew into the game and thrived as PSG enjoyed the second half. AP
Fabian Ruiz – 6. Should have scored his first goal as a PSG player when he was given space in the box before he pulled his shot narrowly wide. Later, he was caught ball watching in the box for Seck’s second. AFP
Fabian Ruiz – 6. Should have scored his first goal as a PSG player when he was given space in the box before he pulled his shot narrowly wide. Later, he was caught ball watching in the box for Seck’s second. AFP
Renato Sanches – 6. A solid performance by the former Lille player who allowed the front three to enjoy freedom to spring forward on the counter plenty of times. AP
Renato Sanches – 6. A solid performance by the former Lille player who allowed the front three to enjoy freedom to spring forward on the counter plenty of times. AP
Lionel Messi – 10. The Argentine marked his 50th game for PSG with two goals and two assists, including scoring with a moment of quality from the outside of his foot to flick a curving ball into the top corner. He was a constant problem for his opponents who were unable to get close to him. He would have fully deserved a hat-trick if his shot didn’t bounce off the crossbar. AP
Lionel Messi – 10. The Argentine marked his 50th game for PSG with two goals and two assists, including scoring with a moment of quality from the outside of his foot to flick a curving ball into the top corner. He was a constant problem for his opponents who were unable to get close to him. He would have fully deserved a hat-trick if his shot didn’t bounce off the crossbar. AP
Kylian Mbappe – 9. The Frenchman scored his 15th goal of the season after some neat play with Neymar before he curled his shot into the top corner to double PSG’s lead. He doubled his own tally when he calmly brought down the ball before curling another beauty in front of the home fans. Kylian Mbappe AFP
Kylian Mbappe – 9. The Frenchman scored his 15th goal of the season after some neat play with Neymar before he curled his shot into the top corner to double PSG’s lead. He doubled his own tally when he calmly brought down the ball before curling another beauty in front of the home fans. Kylian Mbappe AFP
Neymar – 10. A constant nuisance in attack. Played a sublime pass into Ruiz in the first half before, moments later, having an opportunity of his own. Finished a beautiful counter attacking move by the PSG’s front three by netting a deserved goal. He will feel hard done by after his trickery and shot for PSG’s sixth managed to take a deflection off Sean Goldberg. Silly booking to miss the next game. EPA
Neymar – 10. A constant nuisance in attack. Played a sublime pass into Ruiz in the first half before, moments later, having an opportunity of his own. Finished a beautiful counter attacking move by the PSG’s front three by netting a deserved goal. He will feel hard done by after his trickery and shot for PSG’s sixth managed to take a deflection off Sean Goldberg. Silly booking to miss the next game. EPA
SUBS: Carlos Soler (Sanches 68’) – 8. The substitute saw his first shot go wide of the post but he finally netted his first for PSG with a low strike from just inside the box to add a seventh. EPA
SUBS: Carlos Soler (Sanches 68’) – 8. The substitute saw his first shot go wide of the post but he finally netted his first for PSG with a low strike from just inside the box to add a seventh. EPA
Hugo Ekitike (Mbappe 79’) – N/R. The 20-year-old tested the goalkeeper on his first involvement in play, before being played in by Messi with a beautiful ball before Cohen saved once again. AP
Hugo Ekitike (Mbappe 79’) – N/R. The 20-year-old tested the goalkeeper on his first involvement in play, before being played in by Messi with a beautiful ball before Cohen saved once again. AP
Presnel Kimpembe (Marquinhos 79’) – N/R. A return from injury for Kimpembe who was handed the captain’s armband. AP Photo
Presnel Kimpembe (Marquinhos 79’) – N/R. A return from injury for Kimpembe who was handed the captain’s armband. AP Photo
Pablo Sarabia (Ruiz 83’) – N/R. A late change for PSG. AP
Pablo Sarabia (Ruiz 83’) – N/R. A late change for PSG. AP

“When you see them express themselves like that, it’s a joy for a coach,” beamed Christophe Galtier, who took charge of PSG in the summer. He had sensed a big night ahead for MNM, having overseen a practice session on Monday that he said “was of an exceptional level”.

Despite Mbappe’s alleged complaints about his starting position in the front three - too central - and his reported disappointment with the club’s failure to bring in a more orthodox centre-forward in the last transfer window, he has carried his supreme form of 2021-22 - the 39-goal campaign that helped him gain a spectacularly lucrative new contract in May - into this season.

Messi has meanwhile raised his game to the standard of his Barcelona years, after what had been a discreet debut season in France following his summer 2021 move from Catalonia. Neymar is on course for the most productive of his seasons at PSG, and of his long period carrying the most expensive transfer fee - the €222m paid to Barcelona for him - his sport has ever known.

But this is no ordinary season. If PSG, whose goal-glut against Maccabi Haifa will help their chances of topping their Champions League group, ahead of Benfica, look in fine shape to deliver a first European Cup for the club, Galtier warns of hazards ahead.

“It’s a very nice thing to be coaching these players, especially those three up front,” he said. “But the pleasure you get as a manager is limited by the many things you have to take care of, like the heavy schedule of matches. You have to beware of injuries and the freshness of the players.”

The first World Cup to be staged within a domestic season, the Qatar showpiece that begins next month, preys on his mind. It galvanises MNM, too. Not least of the reasons that Brazil, France and Argentina are regarded as the top three favourites to win the World Cup is that Brazil’s Neymar, France’s Mbappe and Argentina’s Messi have been in such sparkling club form.

They each anticipate a long World Cup, with all its concentrated demands on body and mind. Galtier will welcome them back from it expecting one of them to be carrying a gold medal, and all of them to be bearing some symptoms of fatigue.

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

DMZ facts
  • The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
  • It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
  • The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
  • It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
  • Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
  • Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
  • Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012. 
  • Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

The bio

Favourite food: Japanese

Favourite car: Lamborghini

Favourite hobby: Football

Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough

Favourite country: UAE

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THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m

Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m

Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.

8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m

Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

While you're here
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The specs

Engine 60kwh FWD

Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry

Power 204hp Torque 360Nm

Price, base / as tested Dh174,500 

Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Updated: October 26, 2022, 2:11 PM`
Champions LeagueParis Saint-GermainLionel MessiNeymar