Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain scored a hat-trick against Barcelona at Camp Nou in an incredible 4-1 win. Getty
Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain scored a hat-trick against Barcelona at Camp Nou in an incredible 4-1 win. Getty
Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks dejected as the match went against the Spanish giants. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks dejected as the match went against the Spanish giants. Reuters
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters
Mbappe netted a hat-trick for PSG. AFP
Mbappe netted a hat-trick for PSG. AFP
Kylian Mbappe celebrates PSG's third. Reuters
Kylian Mbappe celebrates PSG's third. Reuters
Mbappe celebrates another goal. PA
Mbappe celebrates another goal. PA
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his hat-trick. AFP
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his hat-trick. AFP
Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates. Reuters
Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates. Reuters
Lionel Messi celebrates after giving Barca the lead. AFP
Lionel Messi celebrates after giving Barca the lead. AFP
Messi after his goal. AFP
Messi after his goal. AFP
Messi with Paris St Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino after the match. Reuters
Messi with Paris St Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino after the match. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks dejected. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks dejected. Reuters
Messi (R) and Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Mauro Icardi exchange jerseys next to Barcelona's Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza (L). AFP
Messi (R) and Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Mauro Icardi exchange jerseys next to Barcelona's Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza (L). AFP
Messi (L) and Barcelona's Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza walk off the pitch. AFP
Messi (L) and Barcelona's Spanish defender Oscar Mingueza walk off the pitch. AFP

Football

Veterans, underachievers and shocked future prospects: Ronald Koeman can't hide from the truth of Barcelona decline

Barca were outclassed by an Mbappe-inspired PSG and show why they are no longer in the top tier of superclubs

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey
London

February 18, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

“I could lie,” said Ronald Koeman, surveying the wreckage of Barcelona’s European campaign. Or he could have cited famous, apparently implausible comebacks of the fairly recent past. Four years ago, after all, Barcelona recovered from a 4-0 first-leg defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, to win an extraordinary tie 6-5 on aggregate.

Koeman could have concealed his true belief in his players capacity to perform a similar feat in Paris on March 10, after Tuesday's 4-1 first-leg loss at home to a Kylian Mbappe-inspired PSG. Koeman chose candour instead. "I could lie but a 4-1 is very difficult to make up. We have very little chance."

Koeman might be accused of unhelpful gloom. He would insist that clarity is important. The Barcelona he took over last August are in transition, which is the gentle term for decline, and, although there has been a promising run of league form lately, they are absolutely not in the upper tier of superclubs.

“We are missing things that you need to have to be at the top level, above all Champions League level,” Koeman acknowledged after his mixture of veterans, costly underachievers and shell-shocked future prospects had conformed to a script that is far removed from the 6-1 win at full Camp Nou that in 2017 turned around their last meeting with PSG.

Back then, Barcelona were Spanish champions. Back then, they had won four European Cups in the previous 11 years and Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were still under 30 years old and Neymar and Luis Suarez were Messi’s attacking accomplices.

Tuesday’s defeat to a dynamic, fresh and vibrant PSG belongs in a different Barcelona tradition, the modern one which spells out the story of their diminishing Champions League status in heavy scorelines: 2018 quarter-final - Roma 3, Barcelona 0; 2019 semi-final: Liverpool 4, Barcelona 0; 2020 last-eight: Bayern Munich 8, Barcelona 2; 2020 group stage decider on who finishes top: Barcelona 0, Juventus 3.

In three of those, Barcelona had started with an advantage. They actually beat Juventus 1-0 in Turin last October, and, notoriously, had three-goal leads from the first legs of their ties against Roma and Liverpool. Even against PSG in an emptied Camp Nou, they took the lead, via a penalty, which, this season, is the only sort of goal Messi scores in Europe.

It was another sad night for Messi. The captain’s future, once his contract expires in June, is the constant lens through which Barca’s current predicament is viewed, and there is very little way of seeing this latest setback shifting his view that this is no longer a club at which, at 33, he can aspire to winning a fifth European Cup.

Barca v PSG player ratings

BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 - Kept busier than in recent domestic games but stranded by Mbappe’s magnificence for the visitors’ opening goal. Another fine save from Mbappe on 46 minutes but beaten twice again in the second half and Kean’s header went through his hands. Overwhelmed, like his team. Getty
BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 - Kept busier than in recent domestic games but stranded by Mbappe’s magnificence for the visitors’ opening goal. Another fine save from Mbappe on 46 minutes but beaten twice again in the second half and Kean’s header went through his hands. Overwhelmed, like his team. Getty
Sergino Dest, 4 - The young American will never forget the night he tried to contain Mbappe – a near impossible task and Pique tried to talk him through with little success as he was found out of position. Looked a little nervous and did his best, but it’d be easier to make a house out of jelly. EPA
Sergino Dest, 4 - The young American will never forget the night he tried to contain Mbappe – a near impossible task and Pique tried to talk him through with little success as he was found out of position. Looked a little nervous and did his best, but it’d be easier to make a house out of jelly. EPA
Gerard Pique, 5 - Surprise call up having been out since November, but with Aruajo out, needs must and Pique’s experience was called on. Sidestepped by Mbappe for the first PSG goal. Which defender wouldn’t have been? Blocked a Verrati shot with his head and heeled a Florenzi cross away from goal – towards Mbappe who scored the second. The defining image of the game is him trying – and failing – to stop Mbappe. AFP
Gerard Pique, 5 - Surprise call up having been out since November, but with Aruajo out, needs must and Pique’s experience was called on. Sidestepped by Mbappe for the first PSG goal. Which defender wouldn’t have been? Blocked a Verrati shot with his head and heeled a Florenzi cross away from goal – towards Mbappe who scored the second. The defining image of the game is him trying – and failing – to stop Mbappe. AFP
Clement Lenglet, 5 - Not the certain starter he was a year ago, but Koeman went for his experience against his compatriots. Involved, but not always in a good way and looked all over the place as PSG asserted their superiority. Reuters
Clement Lenglet, 5 - Not the certain starter he was a year ago, but Koeman went for his experience against his compatriots. Involved, but not always in a good way and looked all over the place as PSG asserted their superiority. Reuters
Jordi Alba, 6 - Left looking where the ball was when former Barça player Icardi headed a corner just wide at the end of an excellent first half. In the second, Alba’s pass was handled and it looked like it should have been a penalty. AFP
Jordi Alba, 6 - Left looking where the ball was when former Barça player Icardi headed a corner just wide at the end of an excellent first half. In the second, Alba’s pass was handled and it looked like it should have been a penalty. AFP
Frenkie de Jong, 6 - Won a 26th minute penalty after tripping. And that was just about his highlight. Cut a forlorn figure after as he explained how his side had been outclassed. Getty
Frenkie de Jong, 6 - Won a 26th minute penalty after tripping. And that was just about his highlight. Cut a forlorn figure after as he explained how his side had been outclassed. Getty
Sergio Busquets, 6 - A cerebral and hugely successful footballer, but struggled against PSG’s fleet-heeled forwards. And midfielders as they attacked in waves with devastating speed and precision. Normally has over 100 touches per games – had just 58 in 77 minutes. EPA
Sergio Busquets, 6 - A cerebral and hugely successful footballer, but struggled against PSG’s fleet-heeled forwards. And midfielders as they attacked in waves with devastating speed and precision. Normally has over 100 touches per games – had just 58 in 77 minutes. EPA
Pedri, 6 - New signing and a revelation this season, the teen put Griezmann towards goal on 13 minutes. Stopped an 18th minute Mbappe effort going in on the line. Tough first half for him against Gueye, who fouled him (and several other Barca players) and was booked on 20 minutes. An experience for him to play a game of such a high level. AFP
Pedri, 6 - New signing and a revelation this season, the teen put Griezmann towards goal on 13 minutes. Stopped an 18th minute Mbappe effort going in on the line. Tough first half for him against Gueye, who fouled him (and several other Barca players) and was booked on 20 minutes. An experience for him to play a game of such a high level. AFP
Lionel Messi, 7 - Looked on it at the start. One-two with Griezmann early on, came deep to try and get more involved, smashed a 26th minute left foot penalty centrally past Navas. Used to outclassing teams, it was his time to be outclassed as Barça were humiliated in the Champions League for a fourth consecutive season. Reuters
Lionel Messi, 7 - Looked on it at the start. One-two with Griezmann early on, came deep to try and get more involved, smashed a 26th minute left foot penalty centrally past Navas. Used to outclassing teams, it was his time to be outclassed as Barça were humiliated in the Champions League for a fourth consecutive season. Reuters
Antoine Griezmann, 6 - A 13th minute shot well saved by Navas. Ran from his own half with the ball and chased by three players after 36 minutes to shoot past Navas – but just wide. AFP
Antoine Griezmann, 6 - A 13th minute shot well saved by Navas. Ran from his own half with the ball and chased by three players after 36 minutes to shoot past Navas – but just wide. AFP
Ousmane Dembele, 5 - Feeble 28th minute shot should have made it 2-0, but the ball trickled towards Navas. Exciting when he got the ball on the right, but PSG’s defence were so well organised to blunt him. A poor showing against his compatriots. EPA
Ousmane Dembele, 5 - Feeble 28th minute shot should have made it 2-0, but the ball trickled towards Navas. Exciting when he got the ball on the right, but PSG’s defence were so well organised to blunt him. A poor showing against his compatriots. EPA
SUBS: Oscar Mingueza, N/A - On for Dest 72. Had to stop the unplayable Mbappe, but how to stop a player who is unplayable? You can’t. AFP
SUBS: Oscar Mingueza, N/A - On for Dest 72. Had to stop the unplayable Mbappe, but how to stop a player who is unplayable? You can’t. AFP
Trincao, N/A - On for Piqie on 78. He’s been in form lately and scoring goals but had little impact. Reuters
Trincao, N/A - On for Piqie on 78. He’s been in form lately and scoring goals but had little impact. Reuters
Riqui Puig, N/A - On for Pedri on 78. Looked a boy among men. AFP
Riqui Puig, N/A - On for Pedri on 78. Looked a boy among men. AFP
Miralem Pjanic, N/A - On for Busquets on 78. Wanted more minutes in Koeman’s side. Didn’t want them when his side were already beaten. AP
Miralem Pjanic, N/A - On for Busquets on 78. Wanted more minutes in Koeman’s side. Didn’t want them when his side were already beaten. AP
Martin Braithwaite, N/A - On for Griezmann on 85. Like trying to put a large fire out with a small cup of water. The damage was done and Pjanic had to urge him to get the ball quicker for a corner. EPA
Martin Braithwaite, N/A - On for Griezmann on 85. Like trying to put a large fire out with a small cup of water. The damage was done and Pjanic had to urge him to get the ball quicker for a corner. EPA
PSG RATINGS: Keylor Navas, 5 – The former Real Madrid goalkeeper could do little to stop Lionel Messi’s penalty, but was very lucky not to be punished when he tried to outwit Antoine Griezmann with a disastrous chipped clearance which almost ended up in the back of the net. AP
PSG RATINGS: Keylor Navas, 5 – The former Real Madrid goalkeeper could do little to stop Lionel Messi’s penalty, but was very lucky not to be punished when he tried to outwit Antoine Griezmann with a disastrous chipped clearance which almost ended up in the back of the net. AP
Alessandro Florenzi, 7 – After a cagey first half he was excellent in the second and he produced a vital clearance on the slide with the hosts piling on the pressure, before charging forward to supply the cross which allowed Kylian Mbappe to rifle in his second. Getty
Alessandro Florenzi, 7 – After a cagey first half he was excellent in the second and he produced a vital clearance on the slide with the hosts piling on the pressure, before charging forward to supply the cross which allowed Kylian Mbappe to rifle in his second. Getty
Marquinhos, 6 – Like Florenzi, he will have been relieved to see the Griezmann chance go begging when he was uncertain as to whether he should close down the forward or track the runner, but asides from that it was a steady night’s work for the Brazilian. AFP
Marquinhos, 6 – Like Florenzi, he will have been relieved to see the Griezmann chance go begging when he was uncertain as to whether he should close down the forward or track the runner, but asides from that it was a steady night’s work for the Brazilian. AFP
Presnel Kimpembe, 7 - Another big performance at the back from Kimpembe, who produced a crucial block to deny Ousmane Dembele early in the contest before reacting quickest to snuff out Sergio Busquets’ ball over the top for Messi. AFP
Presnel Kimpembe, 7 - Another big performance at the back from Kimpembe, who produced a crucial block to deny Ousmane Dembele early in the contest before reacting quickest to snuff out Sergio Busquets’ ball over the top for Messi. AFP
Layvin Kurzawa, 7 - Guilty of tripping De Jong in the box as Messi made no mistake from 12 yards, but he responded perfectly when his cross was flicked into the path of Mbappe who hammered in the leveller before ter Stegen’s fingertips denied him a huge goal. AFP
Layvin Kurzawa, 7 - Guilty of tripping De Jong in the box as Messi made no mistake from 12 yards, but he responded perfectly when his cross was flicked into the path of Mbappe who hammered in the leveller before ter Stegen’s fingertips denied him a huge goal. AFP
Leandro Paredes, 7 – A story of set pieces. A lethargic first half was epitomised by a couple of poor deliveries, but when it really mattered he put a precise free-kick on a plate for Kean to steer the visitors into a 3-1 lead having earlier unleashed Florenzi to set up Mbappe’s second of the night. Reuters
Leandro Paredes, 7 – A story of set pieces. A lethargic first half was epitomised by a couple of poor deliveries, but when it really mattered he put a precise free-kick on a plate for Kean to steer the visitors into a 3-1 lead having earlier unleashed Florenzi to set up Mbappe’s second of the night. Reuters
Idrissa Gueye, 5 - For a split-second it looked like Barcelona were in trouble when he lined one up from distance only for his strike to bend comfortably wide. He was booked for hauling down Pedri and seemed determined to get sent off until his withdrawal at the break. AFP
Idrissa Gueye, 5 - For a split-second it looked like Barcelona were in trouble when he lined one up from distance only for his strike to bend comfortably wide. He was booked for hauling down Pedri and seemed determined to get sent off until his withdrawal at the break. AFP
MF Moise Kean, 8 – How Everton fans will be wishing they’d seen a bit more of this. The winger forced a corner after ghosting between two defenders with frightening acceleration before he was twice denied by smart saves from ter Stegen, but he popped up at the back post to nod the French side into dreamland. AFP
MF Moise Kean, 8 – How Everton fans will be wishing they’d seen a bit more of this. The winger forced a corner after ghosting between two defenders with frightening acceleration before he was twice denied by smart saves from ter Stegen, but he popped up at the back post to nod the French side into dreamland. AFP
Marco Verratti, 8 - PSG’s most influential player inside the opening 45 minutes as the Italian pulled the strings in the middle and set up Mbappe with a lovely calculated flick. He was equally effective at the other end, thwarting Griezmann with a glorious tackle. AFP
Marco Verratti, 8 - PSG’s most influential player inside the opening 45 minutes as the Italian pulled the strings in the middle and set up Mbappe with a lovely calculated flick. He was equally effective at the other end, thwarting Griezmann with a glorious tackle. AFP
Kylian Mbappe, 10 - An exceptional talent, a remarkable hat-trick. The sensational forward showed brilliant feet to shift the ball away from Clement Lenglet and onto his left foot before smashing PSG level. He was on hand again to hammer Les Parisiens in front and he capped an electric evening with a fine strike into the top corner. AFP
Kylian Mbappe, 10 - An exceptional talent, a remarkable hat-trick. The sensational forward showed brilliant feet to shift the ball away from Clement Lenglet and onto his left foot before smashing PSG level. He was on hand again to hammer Les Parisiens in front and he capped an electric evening with a fine strike into the top corner. AFP
Mauro Icardi, 6 - Wasted one of the chances of the night when his tame strike was hooked away to safety by Pedri with the goal gaping and he showed a similar lack of conviction after the break when he opted to flick the ball to Kean when it was begging to be hit. AFP
Mauro Icardi, 6 - Wasted one of the chances of the night when his tame strike was hooked away to safety by Pedri with the goal gaping and he showed a similar lack of conviction after the break when he opted to flick the ball to Kean when it was begging to be hit. AFP
SUBS: Ander Herrera, 6 - Replaced the less than subtle Idrissa Gueye at the interval as Maurico Pochettino exercised caution and he almost sent Mbappe away again with a lifted ball over the top. AP
SUBS: Ander Herrera, 6 - Replaced the less than subtle Idrissa Gueye at the interval as Maurico Pochettino exercised caution and he almost sent Mbappe away again with a lifted ball over the top. AP
Thilo Kehrer, N/A - Thrown into the mix in place of Alessandro Florenzi as the visitors saw off a late Barca rally. AFP
Thilo Kehrer, N/A - Thrown into the mix in place of Alessandro Florenzi as the visitors saw off a late Barca rally. AFP
Julian Draxler, N/A - Replaced Marco Verratti in the 72nd minute and put the icing on the cake when he showed excellent close control before laying the ball off for Mbappe to complete a brilliant hat-trick. AFP
Julian Draxler, N/A - Replaced Marco Verratti in the 72nd minute and put the icing on the cake when he showed excellent close control before laying the ball off for Mbappe to complete a brilliant hat-trick. AFP
DF Danilo Pereira, N/A - Replaced the impressive Moise Kean. The idea was probably to preserve the lead the visitors already had rather than extending it, but Mbappe had other ideas. AFP
DF Danilo Pereira, N/A - Replaced the impressive Moise Kean. The idea was probably to preserve the lead the visitors already had rather than extending it, but Mbappe had other ideas. AFP

Messi had his moments against PSG, including the lofted pass that led to Frenkie de Jong being awarded the penalty, but as Koeman observed, the speed with which PSG equalised - Mbappe scored the first of his three goals five minutes after Messi’s spot-kick - pointed to the same brittleness in Barcelona that they revealed in those thumpings by Roma, Liverpool, Bayern and Juventus.

“When you concede an equaliser so quickly, it is always a problem,” said the coach, pointing to a chance, set up by Messi, that Ousmane Dembele had struck weakly at PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

“That was a good chance, at 1-0,” lamented Koeman, while Messi could hardly avoid seeing it as a deja vu. In the see-saw semi-final against Liverpool in 2019, Messi had also set up Dembele with a glorious opportunity to score a fourth Barcelona goal in the tie. Dembele, the €117m purchase, fluffed that one too, and Messi collapsed to the ground in despair.

But the images that most endure from this latest rout will be the pictures of a desperate, outpaced Pique grasping at the jersey of an escaping Mbappe - a World Cup-winning Barcelona centre-half, 34 and rushed back into the team after almost three months out with a knee problem, eclipsed by a 22-year-old who won the last World Cup while still in his teens.

“We know what can happen to us when we play a team physically superior to us,” said Koeman, “and PSG showed they are a more complete side that we are, we have to accept that.”

Bayern 8 Barca 2

Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks broken after the 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich. Reuters
Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks broken after the 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich. Reuters
Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after the 8-2 humiliation. AP
Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after the 8-2 humiliation. AP
Thomas Muller celebrates giving Bayern a 1-0 lead. Reuters
Thomas Muller celebrates giving Bayern a 1-0 lead. Reuters
Lionel Messi after the match. Reuters
Lionel Messi after the match. Reuters
Bayern Munich celebrate. EPA
Bayern Munich celebrate. EPA
Barcelona star Lionel Messi's future at the club will now be under scrutiny. Reuters
Barcelona star Lionel Messi's future at the club will now be under scrutiny. Reuters
Bayern Munich players celebrate after the astonishing win. EPA
Bayern Munich players celebrate after the astonishing win. EPA
Barcelona coach Quique Setien. EPA
Barcelona coach Quique Setien. EPA
Bayern Munich's David Alaba scores an own goal to make the score 1-1. Reuters
Bayern Munich's David Alaba scores an own goal to make the score 1-1. Reuters
Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic (L) celebrates putting Bayern 2-1 ahead. AFP
Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic (L) celebrates putting Bayern 2-1 ahead. AFP
Serge Gnabry (L) after making the score 1-3. EPA
Serge Gnabry (L) after making the score 1-3. EPA
Thomas Mueller celebrates after making it 1-4. Reuters
Thomas Mueller celebrates after making it 1-4. Reuters
Luis Suarez, right, gives Barca brief hope after pulling a goal back, 2-4. PA
Luis Suarez, right, gives Barca brief hope after pulling a goal back, 2-4. PA
Joshua Kimmich makes it 2-5. EPA
Joshua Kimmich makes it 2-5. EPA
Robert Lewandowski on target for 2-6. Reuters
Robert Lewandowski on target for 2-6. Reuters
Bayern Munich's Philippe Coutinho gets in on the act, and it's 2-7. Reuters
Bayern Munich's Philippe Coutinho gets in on the act, and it's 2-7. Reuters
Coutinho again, and the Barca nightmare is over, final score 2-8. AP
Coutinho again, and the Barca nightmare is over, final score 2-8. AP

Ominously, the PSG who stretched Barcelona this way and that, who controlled midfield through Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes, were not the complete PSG by any means.

They were missing the injured Neymar and Angel Di Maria, two of what is probably their first-choice front three. Di Maria is on schedule to be fit for the return leg. Neymar may yet be.

And PSG are already halfway to matching the 8-2 scoreline that ousted Barcelona last year from a competition that looks less and less like their natural domain.

Explained
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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It found there had been 2,255 anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2021, a rise of 34 per cent from the previous year.

The report detailed the convictions of a number of people for anti-Semitic crimes, including one man who was jailed for setting up a neo-Nazi group which had encouraged “the eradication of Jewish people” and another who had posted anti-Semitic homemade videos on social media. 

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

While you're here...
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Score

Third Test, Day 2

New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)

Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

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Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers

1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.

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While you're here
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Three ways to limit your social media use

Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information. 

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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Infobox

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August

Results

UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets

Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets

Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets

Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs

Monday fixtures

UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain

How it works

A $10 hand-powered LED light and battery bank

Device is operated by hand cranking it at any time during the day or night 

The charge is stored inside a battery

The ratio is that for every minute you crank, it provides 10 minutes light on the brightest mode

A full hand wound charge is of 16.5minutes 

This gives 1.1 hours of light on high mode or 2.5 hours of light on low mode

When more light is needed, it can be recharged by winding again

The larger version costs between $18-20 and generates more than 15 hours of light with a 45-minute charge

No limit on how many times you can charge

 

While you're here
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

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While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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UAE currency
How to donate

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
AIDA%20RETURNS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

More from Firas Maksad
RESULTS

5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA) Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA) Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB) Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Boerhan, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA) Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA) Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Messi, Pat Dobbs, Timo Keersmaekers
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA) Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi

Youth YouTuber Programme

The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:

- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots

- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing

- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience

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