Put money where the talent is

Clarence Seedorf is from the school that you have to work hard for every dirham, euro or pound. So he firmly believes the UAE should stop becoming a cash cow for football's ageing heroes. Aged 35 when his Milan contract ends in 2011, the Holland international's name would generally be linked with a move to the Emirates, Qatar or Saudi Arabia if he was to become available. One last payday before he rides off into the sunset.

Seedorf does not want that, though, as he says: "I don't think I will bring added value. I have been coming here for a couple of years now and been talking to a lot of people about the game in the Emirates. My advice constantly is they have to stop buying players at the end of their careers. "They don't need to do that. This market has money, everyone knows that. In the US, they have salary cap, but here they do the opposite and pay higher wages.

"You have to find players in Europe who are talented and younger. There are thousands of players in Europe without a club. Go and find those who are motivated and pay them through results. "To improve the level, you need players who are committed, otherwise people will come here for the money and no motivation. You have to work for your money." Change is something Seedorf has also welcomed at Milan, with the loan arrival of David Beckham set to supplement an already impressive midfield containing Kaka and himself. "Every time a new player comes there is excitement and enthusiasm. It makes me more excited because I am happy to be playing with such champions.

"Beckham hasn't lost his talent by going to America. He is motivated and that's why he came here. Expectations will be sky high, but we will help him out to become a good member of the team." Whether Beckham can help Milan overhaul Inter Milan at the top of Serie A remains to be seen. "Inter are the team to beat," he says. "They are the strongest team in Italy and maybe Europe too. It's fun to compete until the end or it's no fun anymore. We want to be back in the Champions League next season for sure.

"That's not good enough for a club like this; it should not happen. We didn't deserve it last season and to be in the Uefa Cup for one year like Bayern Munich is not a scandal." Another failure though and the top names could leave. Seedorf admits "an intelligent person would consider any offer", while Kaka is coveted by all. "Kaka? It is like when you walk into a market place and all the women look at you and you are with your wife," he adds. "Either she is jealous or she is happy and says, 'I have a very nice husband'. Kaka is a great professional and he will do what he has to do."

The pair are working together in Dubai in preparation for the Dubai Football Challenge, backed by Emirates Airline and Dubai Tourism, on Jan 6 at The Sevens stadium. Tickets are available from Timeoutickets.com or 800-4669. akhan@thenational.ae

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

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

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

RESULT

Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival