Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal could get the chance to line up opposite his hero Lionel Messi next summer – if the Argentina superstar prolongs his international career.
Yamal was instrumental as Spain won a record fourth European Championship on Sunday, supplying the pass for Nico Williams to open the scoring as La Roja beat England 2-1 in the Berlin final.
It capped an incredible individual tournament for the precocious 17-year-old Barcelona tyro, who celebrated his birthday a day before the final. During the month-long Euro 2024 in Germany, Yamal became the tournament's youngest player, goalscorer, finalist and was named best young player. He ended the tournament with one goal and four assists in seven games, emerging as the breakout star of the competition.
Across the Atlantic, Yamal's boyhood hero Messi was also celebrating.
Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 after extra time in Miami to capture a record 16th Copa America title.
Messi, who plays his club football with MLS side Inter Miami, had to watch from the bench as substitute Lautaro Martinez scored the goal that settled the match.
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi had to be withdrawn midway through the second half with an ankle injury, leaving the field in tears.
Those soon turned to tears of joy though as Messi and Argentina collected a third-straight international title following their 2021 Copa triumph and the 2022 World Cup.
Messi, who just recently made headlines for doing a photoshoot with Yamal when he was just a few months old, could be passing the torch when the two countries play.
Here's everything to know about the Finalissima:
What is Finalissima?
The Finalissima (Italian for "grand final") is a one-off match between the winners of the European Championship and Copa America for another trophy.
When was the first Finalissima?
The first match was played in 1985 it what then called the European/South American Nations Cup.
It was also held in 1993 before being discontinued until the rebranded 2022 game that saw Messi and Argentina beat Euro 2020 winners Italy 3-0.
Who has won the most Finalissimas?
Argentina are two-time winners, having first beaten Denmark in 1993 before their most recent victory over Italy. In the first edition, Euro '84 winners France beat South American champions Uruguay 2-0.
When is the next Finalissima?
The next Finalissima is expected to be held in 2025. No date has been specified but it is almost certain to be held some time in the summer.
Will Yamal face Messi?
While Yamal's international career is just taking off, Messi's is most definitely closer to the end. At age 37, there are few things left for Messi to achieve in a glittering career that already has him earmarked as arguably the greatest player ever.
Two of Messi's teammates – Angel di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, both 36 – announced their international teammates in the wake of their recent Copa triumph. Whether Messi follows them or decides to carry on remains to be seen.
Their paths have crossed before. Yamal's father, Mounir, recently posted a picture of a then 20-year-old Messi early in his Barcelona career holding a baby for a charity calendar that was made almost 16 years ago. The baby in the photo is Yamal.
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
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.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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)
RESULTS
2.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
2.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
3.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Inthar, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.45pm: Al Ain Stud Emirates Breeders Trophy – Conditions (PA) Dh50,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: MH Rahal, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
4.25pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: JAP Aneed, Ray Dawson, Irfan Ellahi
4.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Edaraat, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
THREE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,050,000
On sale: now
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
