It seemed fitting that in a season where Lamine Yamal has been setting new records for precociousness almost by the week that he would leave an indelible mark on Euro 2024.
Already the youngest player since Pele in 1958 to appear in the semi-final of a major men's tournament, Yamal further etched his name in history with a goal so sublime in its execution that it topped all other accomplishments in a fledgling but so far meteoric career.
Yamal's benchmarks even before he turns 17 would be enough to define many a career. Already the youngest Barcelona debutant since the 1940s, at 15; the club’s youngest ever goalscorer, at 16 and two months; Spain's youngest goalscorer, age 16 years and 57 days. He became the youngest to appear at a Euros earlier in the tournament, against Croatia, and his goal in Spain's 2-1 semi-final win over France makes him the youngest scorer in tournament history, age 16 years and 361 days.
The feint to steal half a yard on Adrien Rabiot before uncorking a left-foot shot past Mike Maignan in the French goal was "genius", as described by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente. It was reminiscent of a goal Yamal scored against the same opponent at the same stage of the Under-17 European Championship in 2023.
Yamal's goal was the exclamation mark on a first half where he really came of age. There are few finer sights in football than a shot, hit from range, with just enough elevation to beat the despairing dive of a goalkeeper and just the right accuracy to cannon in off the post. Yamal's effort was hit with all the nonchalance of a teenager asked to tidy up his bedroom.
To focus only on his goal would do him a huge disservice. Yamal's weight and accuracy of passing was right out of the Xavi and Iniesta playbook, his spatial awareness to move in from the right flank had an indirect hand in Spain's second goal and his willingness to show for the ball even after a crunching Theo Hernandez tackle shows he has mettle as well as majesty.
His involvement in Dani Olmo's goal four minutes after his own highlights all three. Yamal's contribution to Spain's winner was less tangible than his own strike but still telling. By moving to a more central position to join in the build up, Jesus Navas was encouraged to push up into the space vacated by Yamal on the right. Navas' cross caused confusion in the French ranks, allowing Olmo to conjure up his own magical moment with what proved the winning goal.
If Yamal's appearances at these Euros so far had merely teased at what was to come, then Wednesday's performance in Munich shattered any illusions that the Spanish wunderkind is destined for anything other than greatness.
"He's a player we have to take care of – I have to give him the advice to keep working with the same humility and keep his feet on the floor," said De la Fuente.
"He would keep growing but this maturity and attitude at such a young age is like that of a more experienced player.
"We are lucky he is Spanish and we can enjoy him for many more years."
Spain v France ratings
De la Fuente handed Yamal his Spain debut, against Georgia last year, largely because Morocco, with whom Yamal was also eligible to represent through his father, had sounded out the prodigy about choosing the Atlas Lions over Spain. Yamal, who was born and raised on Catalonia’s Maresme coast, also had a third option, Equatorial Guinea, the country of his mother's birth, but De la Fuente's foresight had its own hint of genius, and he is sure to hand Yamal many more Spain caps – 13 and counting – over the coming years.
With Kylian Mbappe, whose mother is of Algerian descent, and Ousmane Dembele, the son of a Mauritanian-Senegalese parent, now out of the Euros, it leaves Yamal as the sole player of Arab origin in the tournament.
Yamal will turn 17 on Saturday, a day before the final where Spain meet either Netherlands or England, who face off in Wednesday's second semi-final.
"We've been talking about Lamine but I have 26 great players," continued De la Fuente.
"I know [Olmo] very well and the potential he has ... I am grateful to him too."
Striker and captain Alvaro Morata was involved in an unfortunate incident after the game during celebrations, when a stadium worker appeared to crash into him.
"He had a blow that hurt him, but it seems like it will be nothing," said De la Fuente, who also defended Morata against criticism in Spain from recent days.
"On and off the pitch, there's not many like that, giving us what we need, sacrificing himself, and then in the dressing room, is where he really shows the greatness he has, an exceptional human.
"He needs to be remembered as one of the Spanish football greats."
While De la Fuente is keen to highlight the collective, it seems inevitable others will focus on the individual, with Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona boy who only just recently passed his high-school exams, one game way from football immortality.
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Specs
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Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Kalra's feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The%20specs%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
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
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
THREE
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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Company%20Profile
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More from UAE Human Development Report:
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments