Lionel Messi is set to captain Argentina when they take on Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday. AFP
Lionel Messi is set to captain Argentina when they take on Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday. AFP
Lionel Messi is set to captain Argentina when they take on Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday. AFP
Lionel Messi is set to captain Argentina when they take on Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday. AFP

Football

Lionel Messi seeks solace with Argentina after bedlam at Barcelona

International duty used to be something of an inconvenience for Messi. Now it offers an escape from the malaise of his club

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey
London

October 07, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

After a turbulent summer, Lionel Messi is in need of a lift. As it happens, his compatriots Pablo Dybala, Lucas Ocampos, Marcos Acuna and Guido Rodriguez and his close friend Luis Suarez also needed a lift on Monday, literally. They asked Messi if he could help. It was a long lift, all the way from Barcelona airport to Buenos Aires.

Messi obliged, offering space for the four Argentina players, who are all based at clubs in southern Europe, and Uruguay’s Suarez, on his private jet for a journey of maximum comfort to this week’s first round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers. The plane has 16 passenger seats that convert to eight beds, two bathrooms, complete with showers and two kitchens. The Argentina Football Association have plenty to be grateful to Messi for already; they can now thank him for his role as executive travel agent and chaperone.

Read More

Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski and Salah take a bow to Europe's leading scorer this season – in pictures

Lionel Messi 'playing out of his skin' for Barcelona, says Sergi Roberto

Messi, to whom Argentina have for the best part of a decade seemed in desperate debt, is also feeling unusually thankful to his national team. For the last 12 months he has been as frustrated as at any time during his storied, trophy-laden 20 years associated at Barcelona. He asked to leave in August. His vast buyout clause - €700 million ($824m) - prevented him doing so.

Set next to what remains an openly hostile relationship with Barcelona’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and a barren Barca landscape with no fresh trophies and without his close allies, like Suarez (transferred to Atletico Madrid) and Arturo Vidal (to Internazionale) on site, trips to Argentina suddenly look like a happier, less stressful relief.

For most of the past 15 years, it was very clearly the other way around. While Messi blessed Barcelona with his magic and 34 major titles, his senior career with Argentina yielded no major prizes and annual angst. Barcelona soared with Messi; Argentina burdened him. With his club he has won four Champions League finals; with his country he has lost three Copa America finals and a World Cup final. None of his six Ballon d’Ors were earned for triumphs in the blue-and-white stripes of his national team.

In the low times, he has been accused of prioritising Barca over Argentina, for not singing the national anthem before matches. On occasion, the country's greatest ever goalscorer was abused and even spat at by Argentina fans. Four years ago, the relationship severed, Messi announcing his retirement from internationals. Even Fifa were perturbed. He stepped back, much as he had to last month after declaring he intended to leave Barcelona.

_____________________

50 Lionel Messi records

768 - With his appearance against Real Sociedad on March 21, 2021, Lionel Messi became Barcelona's all-time appearance record-holder, overtaking Xavi. He scored twice in Barca's 6-1 win. AFP
768 - With his appearance against Real Sociedad on March 21, 2021, Lionel Messi became Barcelona's all-time appearance record-holder, overtaking Xavi. He scored twice in Barca's 6-1 win. AFP
LIONEL MESSI'S BARCELONA RECORDS: 6 - Most Copa del Rey finals scored in: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019. Reuters
LIONEL MESSI'S BARCELONA RECORDS: 6 - Most Copa del Rey finals scored in: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019. Reuters
34 - Most trophies won as a Barcelona player. Reuters
34 - Most trophies won as a Barcelona player. Reuters
513 - Most matches won with Barcelona. EPA
513 - Most matches won with Barcelona. EPA
48 - Most hat-tricks scored in all competitions for Barcelona. EPA
48 - Most hat-tricks scored in all competitions for Barcelona. EPA
15 - First player to score in 15 consecutive seasons of the UEFA Champions League. AFP
15 - First player to score in 15 consecutive seasons of the UEFA Champions League. AFP
7 - Most Pichichi Trophies (top scorer in La Liga): 2010, 2012–2013, 2017–2020. Reuters
7 - Most Pichichi Trophies (top scorer in La Liga): 2010, 2012–2013, 2017–2020. Reuters
37 - Most opponents scored against in La Liga history. AFP
37 - Most opponents scored against in La Liga history. AFP
Only player to be top goalscorer and top assist provider in the same season: (2018–20). EPA
Only player to be top goalscorer and top assist provider in the same season: (2018–20). EPA
361 - Most La Liga victories. EPA
361 - Most La Liga victories. EPA
16 - Most dribbles completed in a UEFA Champions League game. AFP
16 - Most dribbles completed in a UEFA Champions League game. AFP
27 - Most league matches scored in a season (38 games): 2012–13. EPA
27 - Most league matches scored in a season (38 games): 2012–13. EPA
19 - Most teams scored against in a season: 2012–13. AFP
19 - Most teams scored against in a season: 2012–13. AFP
75 - Most appearances in the Copa del Rey for Barcelona. AFP
75 - Most appearances in the Copa del Rey for Barcelona. AFP
47 - Most goals scored from a free kick in official competitions for Barcelona. Reuters
47 - Most goals scored from a free kick in official competitions for Barcelona. Reuters
38 - Most stadiums scored at in La Liga. Reuters
38 - Most stadiums scored at in La Liga. Reuters
485 - Most La Liga appearances by a foreign player. AFP
485 - Most La Liga appearances by a foreign player. AFP
150 - First player to reach 150 La Liga assists. AFP
150 - First player to reach 150 La Liga assists. AFP
4 - Most Man of the Match awards won in one FIFA World Cup: in 2014. AFP
4 - Most Man of the Match awards won in one FIFA World Cup: in 2014. AFP
6 - Only player to score in six different club competitions in a calendar year twice: 2011 and 2015. Reuters
6 - Only player to score in six different club competitions in a calendar year twice: 2011 and 2015. Reuters
First player ever to score consecutively against all teams in a professional league (2012-2013). EPA
First player ever to score consecutively against all teams in a professional league (2012-2013). EPA
4 - Only player to provide at least one assist in four World Cup tournaments. AFP
4 - Only player to provide at least one assist in four World Cup tournaments. AFP
13 - Most appearances in the FIFPro World11: (2007–2019). EPA
13 - Most appearances in the FIFPro World11: (2007–2019). EPA
11 - Most appearances on a video game cover by a football player. AFP
11 - Most appearances on a video game cover by a football player. AFP
334 - Fastest player ever to reach 300 goals in Europe's top five leagues. AFP
334 - Fastest player ever to reach 300 goals in Europe's top five leagues. AFP
10 - Most Man of the Match awards won in Copa América matches. AP Photo
10 - Most Man of the Match awards won in Copa América matches. AP Photo
115 - Most goals scored for a single club in the UEFA Champions League. AFP
115 - Most goals scored for a single club in the UEFA Champions League. AFP
435 - Fastest player ever to reach 400 goals in Europe's top five leagues. AFP
435 - Fastest player ever to reach 400 goals in Europe's top five leagues. AFP
5 - Most goals scored in a European Cup/Champions League game, against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012. AFP
5 - Most goals scored in a European Cup/Champions League game, against Bayer Leverkusen in 2012. AFP
110 - Most dribbles completed at the World Cup finals. AFP
110 - Most dribbles completed at the World Cup finals. AFP
123 - Fastest player to reach 100 UEFA Champions League goals. AFP
123 - Fastest player to reach 100 UEFA Champions League goals. AFP
68 - Most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League group stage. AFP
68 - Most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League group stage. AFP
5 - Only player to provide at least one assist in five Copa América tournaments. AFP
5 - Only player to provide at least one assist in five Copa América tournaments. AFP
3 - Most UEFA/UEFA.com Goal of the Season awards: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19. AFP
3 - Most UEFA/UEFA.com Goal of the Season awards: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19. AFP
6 - Most Best Player in La Liga awards: 2009–2013; 2015. AFP
6 - Most Best Player in La Liga awards: 2009–2013; 2015. AFP
12 - Top assist provider in Copa America history. AP Photo
12 - Top assist provider in Copa America history. AP Photo
21 - Most goals in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers. AFP
21 - Most goals in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers. AFP
6 - Most Ballons d'Or: 2009–2012; 2015; 2019. AFP
6 - Most Ballons d'Or: 2009–2012; 2015; 2019. AFP
Messi is the only player ever to score in his teens, his 20s, and his 30s at the World Cup. He first scored at the 2006 FIFA World Cup as a 19-year-old in Argentina's 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro, then five times in 2014, and once in 2018. AFP
Messi is the only player ever to score in his teens, his 20s, and his 30s at the World Cup. He first scored at the 2006 FIFA World Cup as a 19-year-old in Argentina's 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro, then five times in 2014, and once in 2018. AFP
6 - Most FIFA World Player of the Year/Best FIFA Men's Player Awards: 2009–2012; 2015; 2019. AFP
6 - Most FIFA World Player of the Year/Best FIFA Men's Player Awards: 2009–2012; 2015; 2019. AFP
444 - Most goals in La Liga. AFP
444 - Most goals in La Liga. AFP
50 - goals in a La Liga and European league season. Reuters
50 - goals in a La Liga and European league season. Reuters
8 - Most Champions League hat-tricks. AFP
8 - Most Champions League hat-tricks. AFP
183 - Most assists in La Liga. AFP
183 - Most assists in La Liga. AFP
7 - La Liga Best Forward titles ( 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16). AFP
7 - La Liga Best Forward titles ( 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16). AFP
36 - Most hat-tricks in La Liga. AFP
36 - Most hat-tricks in La Liga. AFP
300 - Most recorded assists in football history. AFP
300 - Most recorded assists in football history. AFP
91 - goals in a calendar year (2012) - 79 with Barca (59 in La Liga, 13 in the Champions League, 5 in the Copa del Rey and 2 in the Spanish Super Cup) plus 12 with the Argentina national side.
91 - goals in a calendar year (2012) - 79 with Barca (59 in La Liga, 13 in the Champions League, 5 in the Copa del Rey and 2 in the Spanish Super Cup) plus 12 with the Argentina national side.
6 - European Golden Shoes for top scorer in European football. AFP
6 - European Golden Shoes for top scorer in European football. AFP
60 - Only player to score 60+ goals in all competitions in 2 consecutive seasons: (2011–12 and 2012–13). AFP
60 - Only player to score 60+ goals in all competitions in 2 consecutive seasons: (2011–12 and 2012–13). AFP
10 - Only player to score more than 40 goals in 10 consecutive seasons. AFP
10 - Only player to score more than 40 goals in 10 consecutive seasons. AFP
79 - Top goalscorer in all club competitions in a calendar year (2012). AFP
79 - Top goalscorer in all club competitions in a calendar year (2012). AFP
21 - Longest goalscoring run in a domestic league: 33 goals in 2012–13. Reuters
21 - Longest goalscoring run in a domestic league: 33 goals in 2012–13. Reuters
7 - Only player to score in seven official competitions in one calendar year: 2015, in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, Copa America, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Reuters
7 - Only player to score in seven official competitions in one calendar year: 2015, in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, Copa America, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Reuters
70 - Argentina all-time top scorer. EPA
70 - Argentina all-time top scorer. EPA
27 - Top goalscorer in El Clásico. EPA
27 - Top goalscorer in El Clásico. EPA

_____________________

His commitment to Argentina now seems absolute, and there is an urgency to fix the striking gap - no senior international trophy - in his resumé. Next summer brings a Copa America that, pending public health concerns, will be partly staged in Argentina. It will be Messi's fifth. Three ended with defeat in penalty shoot-outs. The last one, in 2019, ended with Messi red-carded in the third-place play-off.

Because that was more than a year ago now, his subsequent suspension has been erased, making him available for Thursday, his first competitive match since, and the first step on what will likely be his last stab at a World Cup, the 2022 tournament in the Middle East.  He will be 35 by then.

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s head coach, has a plan to have Messi as his clear leader but not as overburdened would-be saviour. “It is great to be able to count on Leo,” said Scaloni, “and in the last two matches [friendlies last November], we found a way of making everybody comfortable. We can’t always be expecting him to be the genie with the magic lantern.

Lionel Messi's last appearance for Argentina resulted in a red card in the third-place play-off at the 2019 Copa America against Chile. AFP
Lionel Messi's last appearance for Argentina resulted in a red card in the third-place play-off at the 2019 Copa America against Chile. AFP

As for his mood, homecomings make Messi smile, says Scaloni. “Whenever he comes to the national team, I see him happy and well. We put whatever is happening at Barcelona aside.”

Against Ecuador, and for next week’s demanding away match in the sapping altitude of La Paz against Bolivia, Messi will be without several long-times allies. Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero is still recuperating from knee surgery and Angel Di Maria, of Paris Saint-Germain, is out of favour with Scaloni, who has named a squad with a glance at the long-term.

Take away the more than 200 caps that Messi and Nicolas Otamendi, who moved this summer from City to Benfica, have between them, and nobody else in Scaloni’s squad has more than 30. As ever with Argentina, though, Messi has a choice of high-class striking partners, in Dybala and Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, with Ocampos also selected after his excellent 2019/20 with Sevilla.

____________________

Barcelona v Sevilla player ratings

BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Neto. 5 – Had little to do other than pick the ball out of the back of the net in the first half. He could do little to stop Luuk de Jong’s thunderous effort, though he did get a hand to it. Was quick off his line to sweep up when needed. On one occasion he almost got caught in possession by Rakitic when attempting a drag back under pressure. Reuters
BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Neto. 5 – Had little to do other than pick the ball out of the back of the net in the first half. He could do little to stop Luuk de Jong’s thunderous effort, though he did get a hand to it. Was quick off his line to sweep up when needed. On one occasion he almost got caught in possession by Rakitic when attempting a drag back under pressure. Reuters
Sergi Roberto. 6 – Solid distribution throughout and, as ever, loved to get forward. Barca’s attacking play was predominantly down the left hand side, but he was always available, and his crossing was a danger all game. Reuters
Sergi Roberto. 6 – Solid distribution throughout and, as ever, loved to get forward. Barca’s attacking play was predominantly down the left hand side, but he was always available, and his crossing was a danger all game. Reuters
Ronald Araujo. 5 – Came in to replace former Sevilla man Clement Lenglet and struggled to keep up with Suso and Ocampos at times. His pin-perfect long ball set Griezmann free early on in the second half. He came close to scoring an own goal when he deflected the ball onto his crossbar. Getty Images
Ronald Araujo. 5 – Came in to replace former Sevilla man Clement Lenglet and struggled to keep up with Suso and Ocampos at times. His pin-perfect long ball set Griezmann free early on in the second half. He came close to scoring an own goal when he deflected the ball onto his crossbar. Getty Images
Gerard Pique. 6 – A busy evening for Pique who had to establish a relationship with Araujo and was under pressure from the Sevilla press all game. Showed tremendous positional sense throughout to win virtually every header. AFP
Gerard Pique. 6 – A busy evening for Pique who had to establish a relationship with Araujo and was under pressure from the Sevilla press all game. Showed tremendous positional sense throughout to win virtually every header. AFP
Jordi Alba. 5 – Tried to catch out Bono with a free-kick but his effort finished wide. Was sometimes caught out by Sevilla’s pace on the break and left the field injured before the end. AFP
Jordi Alba. 5 – Tried to catch out Bono with a free-kick but his effort finished wide. Was sometimes caught out by Sevilla’s pace on the break and left the field injured before the end. AFP
Sergio Busquets. 6 – The master of keeping possession even when pressed, Busquets is accustomed to the kind of pressure applied by the Sevilla midfield. Still, it was an evening of tight margins and few spaces, and he hardly had a moment to think before he was closed down. He did well to block a cross from Ocampos with Sevilla on the attack, and then enjoyed a few forays forward towards the end. Getty Images
Sergio Busquets. 6 – The master of keeping possession even when pressed, Busquets is accustomed to the kind of pressure applied by the Sevilla midfield. Still, it was an evening of tight margins and few spaces, and he hardly had a moment to think before he was closed down. He did well to block a cross from Ocampos with Sevilla on the attack, and then enjoyed a few forays forward towards the end. Getty Images
Frenkie de Jong. 5 – The Dutchman was constantly pressed and found it hard to find any consistency, though he did well to link defence and attack. He ventured forward in the closing minutes and came close to converting a Busquets cross. EPA
Frenkie de Jong. 5 – The Dutchman was constantly pressed and found it hard to find any consistency, though he did well to link defence and attack. He ventured forward in the closing minutes and came close to converting a Busquets cross. EPA
Philippe Coutinho. 6 – The Brazilian’s fine form continued as he found himself in the right place at the right time to seize on Jesus Navas’ mistake and level the scores. Linked well with Fati on the left, though drifted out of the game as it wore on and was later substituted. EPA
Philippe Coutinho. 6 – The Brazilian’s fine form continued as he found himself in the right place at the right time to seize on Jesus Navas’ mistake and level the scores. Linked well with Fati on the left, though drifted out of the game as it wore on and was later substituted. EPA
Lionel Messi. 7 – The Argentine was involved in Barca’s equaliser; he sent a delicious ball towards Alba that caused confusion in the Sevilla defence, and enabled Coutinho to fire home. Played in a deep-lying role to try and get his side going, he came close to scoring before the break when he cut in front the right hand side and again with a low effort from range in the second. Was brought down in the area several times towards the end but wasn’t rewarded with a penalty. AFP
Lionel Messi. 7 – The Argentine was involved in Barca’s equaliser; he sent a delicious ball towards Alba that caused confusion in the Sevilla defence, and enabled Coutinho to fire home. Played in a deep-lying role to try and get his side going, he came close to scoring before the break when he cut in front the right hand side and again with a low effort from range in the second. Was brought down in the area several times towards the end but wasn’t rewarded with a penalty. AFP
Ansu Fati. 7 – The in-form youngster exuded confidence early on with a number of neat flicks coming in from the left hand side. His first shot on goal was comfortably saved by Bono. His final ball sometimes let him down, but he looked a constant threat when running at the Sevilla defence before he was substituted. Reuters
Ansu Fati. 7 – The in-form youngster exuded confidence early on with a number of neat flicks coming in from the left hand side. His first shot on goal was comfortably saved by Bono. His final ball sometimes let him down, but he looked a constant threat when running at the Sevilla defence before he was substituted. Reuters
Antoine Griezmann. 5 – The Frenchman twice came close to scoring in the first half; first with an acrobatic effort that saw him penalised for using a high foot, and again when through on goal, but his first touch was heavy and he was slow to get his shot away. Similarly, when through on goal after the break, he took a heavy touch and missed the opportunity to fire at goal. Looked short of confidence. AFP
Antoine Griezmann. 5 – The Frenchman twice came close to scoring in the first half; first with an acrobatic effort that saw him penalised for using a high foot, and again when through on goal, but his first touch was heavy and he was slow to get his shot away. Similarly, when through on goal after the break, he took a heavy touch and missed the opportunity to fire at goal. Looked short of confidence. AFP
SUBS: Pedri (Fati 60) 5. – The 17-year-old did little to change the game when he came on, though he will have loved the opportunity in such a big game. AFP
SUBS: Pedri (Fati 60) 5. – The 17-year-old did little to change the game when he came on, though he will have loved the opportunity in such a big game. AFP
Trincao (Griezmann 60). 6 – Enjoyed a foray down the right 10 minutes after coming on but his cross to the far post was cleared for a corner. Then had a glorious chance to win it cutting in from the right but his shot was saved. EPA
Trincao (Griezmann 60). 6 – Enjoyed a foray down the right 10 minutes after coming on but his cross to the far post was cleared for a corner. Then had a glorious chance to win it cutting in from the right but his shot was saved. EPA
Miralem Pjanic (Coutinho 75). N/A – Made his presence felt with a thundering challenge soon after coming on. Getty Images
Miralem Pjanic (Coutinho 75). N/A – Made his presence felt with a thundering challenge soon after coming on. Getty Images
Sergino Dest (Alba 75). N/A – The first American player to play for Barcelona’s first team and the fifth US international to play in La Liga, he looked lively when he came on and set up Messi for a strike at goal from 25 yards. AP Photo
Sergino Dest (Alba 75). N/A – The first American player to play for Barcelona’s first team and the fifth US international to play in La Liga, he looked lively when he came on and set up Messi for a strike at goal from 25 yards. AP Photo
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
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.
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

SPECS

Nissan 370z Nismo

Engine: 3.7-litre V6

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 363hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh184,500

Moving%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SMG%20Studio%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Team17%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How do Sim card scams work?

Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.

They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.

They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.

The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Results

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

 

If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

BRAZIL%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Alisson%2C%20Ederson%2C%20Weverton%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Dani%20Alves%2C%20Marquinhos%2C%20Thiago%20Silva%2C%20Eder%20Militao%20%2C%20Danilo%2C%20Alex%20Sandro%2C%20Alex%20Telles%2C%20Bremer.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Casemiro%2C%20Fred%2C%20Fabinho%2C%20Bruno%20Guimaraes%2C%20Lucas%20Paqueta%2C%20Everton%20Ribeiro.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Neymar%2C%20Vinicius%20Junior%2C%20Richarlison%2C%20Raphinha%2C%20Antony%2C%20Gabriel%20Jesus%2C%20Gabriel%20Martinelli%2C%20Pedro%2C%20Rodrygo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
Top%2010%20most%20competitive%20economies
%3Cp%3E1.%20Singapore%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Switzerland%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Denmark%0D%3Cbr%3E4.%20Ireland%0D%3Cbr%3E5.%20Hong%20Kong%0D%3Cbr%3E6.%20Sweden%0D%3Cbr%3E7.%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E8.%20Taiwan%0D%3Cbr%3E9.%20Netherlands%0D%3Cbr%3E10.%20Norway%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ArgentinaLionel Messi