Each week sports reporter Mina Rzouki answers a selection of readers' questions submitted via social media. If you have a question for Mina, you can ask her on either X or Instagram – both @MinaRzouki.
Q: Should a club make a transfer move for Alessandro Bastoni. Is he underrated?
@Kman23 via Instagram
A: It depends on which country’s media you consume. In Italy, he is rightfully highly rated but in England, maybe not spoken about as much. Italy’s most famous sports paper, Gazzetta dello Sport, ran a survey in March asking their readers if Bastoni was the best in the world and a resounding 66 per cent agreed. Virgil van Dijk received 19.8 per cent of votes while Antonio Rudiger came in third with just under 6 per cent.
Fans who watch football in Europe and not just in England will appreciate that he is one of the top three best defenders in the world. And how could he not be? Blessed to have been coached by some of the most courageous and forward-thinking coaches in Italian football, including Gian Piero Gasperini, Antonio Conte and Simone Inzaghi, Bastoni has revolutionised the role of a centre-back in a back three.
A left-footed defender who can carry the ball out from the back, he progresses vertically and seamlessly to aid the attack as an additional playmaker. Capable of assists, scoring and of reading the opponents’ game plan, I genuinely struggle to name many who are better. He is strong in the air, a leader on the pitch and a defensive maestro.
Voted the best defender in Serie A last season, Transfermarkt.com claim that, alongside Arsenal’s William Saliba, Bastoni is the most valuable defender in the world. I love Saliba, but Bastoni makes virtually no mistakes while, sometimes, we can spot a Saliba mistake or two.
Q: If Ancelotti leaves Real Madrid, would the club want Mikel Arteta?
@Stevewinter606 via Instagram
A: No. He’s not even on their list of possible candidates – at least not yet. He was actually linked to the Real Madrid job in 2023 and he got a bit irritated when he had to deny the interest. Worth noting, he is a Barcelona boy. He’s a Real Sociedad supporter but he spent part of his youth in the Blaugrana youth set-up, and while that doesn’t discount a potential move to Madrid, his style and what he wants to create might not go hand in hand with Madrid’s plans.
Arteta is developing something really wonderful at Arsenal and even though the media and some fans are impatient, wanting everything to arrive immediately, I think most of us have enjoyed the journey of watching the club develop each season. The league remains a bridge too far it seems, and they have been unlucky at times, but I was amazed at their maturity in Europe, displaying a formidable mentality and confidence I hadn’t often seen from them in this competition.
However, Real Madrid is a difficult place to go, if you don’t understand and quickly adapt to the culture. Their fans have grown accustomed to success and lifting silverware and expect success immediately. There is no time to develop game plans, to manage the egos, to deal with the boos and whistles. You have to win yesterday. The pressure is immense, stifling and it can destroy a coach. Even the great Alfredo Di Stefano was on the receiving end of occasional jeers.
Arteta is more than capable but honestly I think it’s a role best occupied by a former Madrid player – somebody who has the arrogance to believe in a remontada in the 89th minute and who will command a dressing room full of egos that may behave as though they are above tactics and listening to instruction.
Right now, Xabi Alonso is the coach the club most desire. They admire his tactical adjustments in a game, how he nurtures his players to exploit their individual characteristics and his pragmatism in football.
Real Madrid’s management have built a system that revolves around bringing in the best. They don’t buy players to fit a style of play. They bring in players they think are talented and it’s up to the coach to fit them all in. If it’s not Alonso, I don’t think they’d say no to another round with Zinedine Zidane, and if it’s not a former player, then Jurgen Klopp’s energy and style of fast paced football would be ideal.
Q: Is it just all about the foreign strikers in Saudi’s SPL or is Arab talent competing?
@Jenna_j7 via Instagram
A: In terms of strikers, the Saudi Pro League’s joint second top scorer is Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah with 19 goals, only four less than Cristiano Ronaldo, and he has been nothing short of a blessing for his club Al Shabab.
This is one of the league’s most prolific strikers. In fact, when he first arrived to the kingdom in 2018, he scored 34 goals in 27 games for Ronaldo’s current team Al Nassr.
He was the league's top scorer in his first two seasons. He then moved to Al Ittihad in December 2021 and guess what? He drove the team to a league title, scoring 21 goals in 26 games. Saudi journalists have noted that there’s very few who have proved as successful as Hamdallah in front of goal.
He is 34 now but still performing at a high level and joined Al Shabab last summer. Second in the league's all-time scoring chart, Hamdallah arrived at an attack-minded team and produced quickly, but the club suffered when Vitor Pereira left for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
New coach Fatih Terim may have taken time to find his feet but Al Shabab are one of the most in-form teams at the moment largely because of how well the wily Turk has managed to exploit the striker’s prowess in front of goal. Terim has been the perfect coach for the striker; Hamdallah has scored 14 goals in 14 matches.
So yes, this is a league blessed with some of the finest imports but I’m yet to see many produce the magic in front of goal as well as Hamdallah has at 34.
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 view from The National
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
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
