There was a moment, during Real Madrid’s pre-season when the wise old heads at the most glamorous of clubs turned to one another with a knowing glance. There was an approving nod from Toni Kroos, a clap of the gloves from Thibaut Courtois. They were admiring the new signing, Jude Bellingham.
“Almost as soon as he first started practice with us, we, the veterans, looked at each other and thought, ‘Wow, this guy knows what he’s doing'," recalled Dani Carvajal, the toughest of Madrid’s senior professionals.
As Bellingham continues to make his awe-inspiring introduction to Spanish football, which he became part of early in the summer in exchange for the €100 million-plus transfer fee paid by Madrid to Borussia Dortmund, Carvajal finds himself adding new items to the catalogue of the player's virtues, no longer surprised that within the precocious 20 year-old’s vast portfolio are gifts he had not expected.
“What you don’t see at first is how quick he is,” explained Carvajal, the Madrid captain for most of an extraordinary first month of the season for the English midfield phenomenon. “Or that technically he’s insanely good.” What Bellingham’s live Spanish audiences have already seen is an exemplary adaptation to a new league, to a grand institution that has in the past intimidated far more worldly stars than Bellingham when they first arrived at the Bernabeu.
Bellingham has played four matches for Madrid so far. He has been on the scoresheet in every one of them – twice at Almeria, where he also set up the other goal in a 3-1 win – and added another man-of-the-match display on Tuesday, for England against Scotland in Glasgow.
That was not a competitive fixture, but a celebration of the 150th anniversary of supposedly international football’s oldest contest, a British derby in which the youngest participant – Bellingham only ceased being a teenager in June – was the most conspicuous leader.
Bellingham set the tone, creatively. Carvajal, Madrid’s right-back, would have purred at and recognised the sort of measured pass, executed on the move, that Bellingham delivered to England’s right-back Kyle Walker to first stretch the Scots on the way to a 3-1 English victory.
Madrid’s veterans already know and appreciate the poise and patience, the confidence in possession Bellingham displayed to pause and then pick his eye-of-a-needle pass to Marcus Rashford in the lead-in to Phil Foden’s goal to put England 1-0 up.
Bellingham himself made it 2-0 by half-time, finishing off a move he had started with some dainty work as an auxiliary left winger. His combinations with Rashford were a feature of the evening; his pass for Harry Kane’s second-half goal was masterly in its timing and weight.
Bellingham wore the number 10 for England, and although that reflects in part the position he is commanding most impressively, at the attacking apex of midfield for Madrid, a little advanced on his role last season for Dortmund, it hardly encompasses the full range of his contributions.
“It’s simply that he is so complete,” Carvajal told the broadcaster Movistar, “he’s a finisher when you give the ball, and he’s so intelligent. By the third week [with us], he’d worked out an understanding with all of us just by watching.”
Importantly, Bellingham heard loud and clear, in pre-season, what would be Madrid’s particular need from him. He had all but agreed to join them by the spring, prepared to take up a variety of possible midfield roles. In early summer, Karim Benzema, the long-serving captain, centre-forward and fulcrum of Madrid’s attack, then announced his departure for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
It left a huge goalscoring and creative hole. Bellingham stepped in, wearing number five on his jersey but playing as a number 10, while mixing the sort of combative aggression Carvajal cannot help but admire with confident technical flourishes.
His highlight reel so far in La Liga features both thumping tackles to regain possession and a number of nimble back-heels to conjure up space in and around the opposition penalty area.
Gareth Southgate, the England manager, praised Bellingham’s “athleticism in the press, as an attacking [number 8], or where he played against Scotland [further forward], he looks to get into the box.” Noting that Bellingham had not shone in England’s flatter performance against Ukraine, a 1-1 draw in Euro 2024 qualifying four days earlier, Southgate added: “We knew he has a fantastic personality to come back from that.”
Carvajal can only guess at how far upwards Bellingham soars. A Ballon d’Or candidate by this time next year? Bracketed with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe as a generation-defining superstar? “We don’t want to deify him too much,” cautioned Carvajal, “the bar is set very high.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
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Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE
Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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.
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Napoleon
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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.
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
