I can not claim to be bosom buddies with the man but I have bumped into Diego Maradona from time to time over the years.
We first met during the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain where Argentina were preparing for an encounter with their age-old rivals, Brazil. Having been hailed 'The Greatest Footballer in the World' by Pele when still only 17, did such praise carry any special responsibilities?
"For Pele to say such a thing was a great honour but, yes, it is a burden. I am only young myself [21 at the time] but I know millions of children expect me to be special - on the football pitch and in everyday life. It was also Pele who described football as 'the beautiful game'. It is my responsibility not to let anyone down by trying to perform beautifully every time I play."
Forty-eight hours later, Maradona was sent off for booting Brazilian substitute Batista in a very tender part of the anatomy during the 3-1 defeat that ended Argentina's World Cup campaign; it will not be the last occasion that Maradona lets us down. For years on, we met again in the outskirts of Puebla before Argentina's second round defeat of Uruguay during Mexico'86. At the peak of his powers with Napoli, he was also making headline news in Italy amid rumours of cocaine abuse. "Is it possible to be too famous?"
Maradona duly found a new way to get famous by scoring the two most famous goals in history in the 2-1 quarter-final victory over England. Replays showed that his opening 'goal' was an illegal affair - "A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand..." he confessed later - but there was no questioning the beauty of his decisive second; collecting the ball in his own half, with 11 touches Maradona slalomed around Glenn Hoddle, Peter Reid, Kenny Sansom, Terry Butcher and Terry Fenwick before rounding Peter Shilton to score what would later be deemed the Goal of the Century in a poll conducted by Fifa. An inspired Maradona went on the skipper Argentina to World Cup triumph.
To Sydney 1993 and Argentina's play-off against Australia for a place at USA '94. And after a 15-month worldwide ban for using cocaine, how did Maradona spend the night before his return to international football? At the Ashton Brothers' Circus. "You must never forget," said his legal counsellor, Vincenzo Sinicalchi, "that ever since the first day he gave himself over to the game of football, Diego has never had time to grow up. However he might look physically [a well-worn 33], he still has the mind and spirit of a 14-year-old boy."
Our final meeting occurred on the ivory sands of Nantucket Island where Maradona enjoyed the feel of the warm waves swirling across his bare toes. "Football gave me everything. It took a small child born into poverty and made him a king. Then they took away the king's crown and now he has very little. I love football with all my heart and would give everything I have to turn back the clock."
A few days later, Maradona was sent home from USA '94 in disgrace after failing a drugs test.
I will have the opportunity to renew acquaintance when Maradona arrives in my native Glasgow for his first game as Argentina's national coach against Scotland. Knowing how much he loves steak, I have left a message at his hotel reminding him of our previous meetings and inviting him to sample an Aberdeen Angus T-bone.
@Email:rphilip@thenational.ae
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
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Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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