Manager Luis de la Fuente did not hold back in his admiration and for the teen sensation whose breathtaking talent had helped guide Spain to the brink of another trophy.
The reigning European champions had just come out on top 5-4 in a thrilling Uefa Nations League last-four win over World Cup runners-up France to set up Sunday's final against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
At the heart of that victory was Barcelona's 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal who scored twice in Stuttgart, coming hot-on-the-heels of helping his club side regain the La Liga title from bitter rivals Real Madrid this season.
“He's the best player in the world,” insisted De la Fuente of Yamal, who was named best young player at Euro 2024 – which saw Spain beat England in the final – as well as being awarded the tournament's best goal.
That stunning strike, also against the French, saw Yamal become the youngest scorer in European Championship history at the age of 16 years 362 days.
And, according to De la Fuente, his double against the same opposition on Thursday should put him very much in the running for the ultimate individual footballing accolade, one that has been dominated by two of the all-time greats – Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – since 2008.
“Yamal has made a statement tonight and shown that he should win the Ballon d'Or,” said the Spanish coach after the match. And there will be few who argue with him.
Yamal's big rival for the award is former Barca boy Ousmane Dembele, who helped Paris Saint-Germain secure a historic treble following the French club's first ever Uefa Champions League title thanks to an unforgettable 5-0 drubbing of Inter Milan.
But it was the young pretender who outshone the 28-year-old France attacker Dembele at the MHP Arena in Germany.
“I always say the same thing to mum, that I try to give my all,” said Yamal, after a campaign that has seen his Barca team win La Liga, the Spanish Cup and Spanish Super Cup.
“That is what motivates me and what gets me up in the morning. It is why I play football. It's always best to speak on the pitch.
“Dembele is a great player, we saw that in the Champions League, but I am happy that we're the ones in the final.”
The plaudits keep on coming for the teenager who has just been named best La Liga Under-23 player of the season, with Barca's Brazilian attacker Raphinha taking the senior crown ahead of teammate Yamal and 31-goal Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe.
Yamal, who recently extended his contract to 2031 in a deal that includes a one billion Euro buyout clause, finished the La Liga season with nine goals and 13 assists in 35 matches. Across all competitions, those figures rose to 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 games.
It is remarkable to think that at such a tender age, Yamal has already broken the 100-game barrier for Barca, as well as winning 20 caps and scoring six goals for Spain.
Swiss research group CIES Football Observatory have recently calculated that Yamal – whose mother is from Equatorial Guinea and father Moroccan – commands the mind-boggling transfer value of €402.3 million.
That figure takes into account factors such as contract length, performance, age, popularity and club characteristics. The next highest values are that of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (€239.6m) and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham (€233.8).
“This extraordinary figure is linked to equally extraordinary performances achieved at an age – 18 in July – when most players, even the best, are just starting out at professional level,” the report said.
Like De la Fuente, club manager Hansi Flick is of no doubt about the “genius” talent he has at his disposal, while also making it clear that it will be down to Barcelona and the player himself to maintain his current trajectory
“Yes, he’s a genius. He’s only 17, and we have to help him,” the German coach said. “I hope he wants us to help him too, that we can take care of him, because he’s very young and everything seems so easy right now, but it isn’t.
“If you want to play at the highest level for the next 15 years, you have to train very well and be very mentally strong. Lamine is smart and intelligent; it’s good that he enjoys all this, but you also have to work and work. Talented players have to work too.”
Next up for Yamal is the match against Portugal at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena and the chance for major honour number six for club and country.
And ahead of the final, opposition attacker and veteran superstar Ronaldo had a salient message.
“Lamine Yamal is doing very well, taking advantage of his talent. Let the kid grow,” said the 40-year-old Al Nassr player. “Don't put too much pressure on him. Let him be and grow well, take the pressure off. He has no shortage of talent.”
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
The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
UAE%20SQUAD
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Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
The%20Sandman
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Kandahar%20
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SPECS
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Company%20profile
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RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
AL%20BOOM
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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.
The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
Naga
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Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
