From humble beginnings often emerge extraordinary talents. It is well-documented that Lionel Messi's voyage from Newell's Old boys' youth team to Barcelona's prodigious academy happened after the Catalonian club offered to fund treatment for the diminutive player's growth hormone deficiency.
Messi, like so many others, moved to Europe to further his football education. The path is well-trodden. For European teams, there is a seemingly endless supply of talent from South America willing to move abroad with little more than the promise of a chance to show what they can do.
Almost all of them, however, were not quite as good as 14-year-old "Leo". Indeed, only the most special of talents find themselves cherry-picked at such an age. Eight years on, Messi's height may have peaked, but his stature continues to grow.
A Club World Cup triumph, the club's first, would be the cherry on top of Barcelona's record-breaking season. The squad have travelled to Abu Dhabi intent to address the one notable absentee amid silverware in the Nou Camp trophy cabinet.
Messi and Co have the chance to fix things against Estudiantes tonight. But the 22-year-old forward, who returned from an ankle injury to score his side's second goal against Concacaf champions Atlante in the competition's semi-final, is not expecting things to be easy.
"I was really happy to score against Atlante," says Messi. "I didn't even know I would be playing until the last moment. But I worked hard, came on and scored an important goal.
"It's going to be very special to play against an Argentine team, something I have never done before. We will have to play as we did last season and have continued to do this year. We have to be serious and vigorous. If we play the way we know we can, then hopefully we can win and complete an historic year."
Anchoring Messi's opponents will be his international teammate Juan Sebastien Veron. The former Inter Milan, Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder is more than the Students' captain; he is their inspiration. For Messi, the chance to square-off against Veron is additional incentive.
"The fact their team has Veron makes it even more special," he said. "It will be a technical match that everyone on the field will enjoy and both teams will play football to try and win."
It is a dream final, one which aligns with the historical traditions of the tournament. Be it the Intercontinental Cup, the World Club Championship or the Club World Cup, Europe versus South America has always been the real deal.
Yet for all Barca's achievements it is Estudiantes who have been here before and done the business. Barcelona have twice tried, and failed, to claim the trophy. Veron's father was part of the Argentine side who defeated Sir Bobby Charlton's Manchester United over two legs in 1968.
The question of which team will create history - Veron for the Estudiantes family connection, Barca for a sixth potential title - has dominated the build-up. Messi's mission is to ensure his breaks his compatriots' hearts and carves another chapter in the Spanish champions' history.
Talking before being presented with the Super.ae award for World Player of the Year in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night - Messi received his prize at Abu Dhabi's Shangri-la hotel where the Barca team are staying as his management decided he should appear via video link up rather than going in person to the ceremony at Abu Dhabi TV studios - Messi says: "Winning a sixth trophy would end an impressive and amazing year - it would be historical for us. For me personally, it would make it a complete year because of the personal awards I have also been given.
"I'm filled with happiness at winning the Ballon d'Or, and I would be very proud to win the Fifa award too. But they are not only for me, they are for the team because without them I would win nothing."
Barca's stunning form has coincided with Pep Guardiola taking charge at the club. Having spent the majority of his playing career with the team, Guardiola's appointment as coach has proven a masterstroke.
Somewhat of a managerial novice, Guardiola's promotion from Barca's youth team coach to senior team boss was a shock. Frank Rijkaard had won numerous domestic and European honours, but the club were beginning to stagnate.
Giving a son of the club, who supported Barca as a boy and played for them as a man, the top job was a way to reconnect. Guardiola was tasked with transferring his genetic passion for the club to the players. More importantly, however, was arresting the squad's occasionally languid performances and getting them back to playing the Barcelona way.
Out went fading Brazilian Ronaldinho. Messi, with added responsibility as Barca's primary attacking threat, inherited his No 10 shirt. It has not fazed the Argentine. In Barca's all-conquering season last year, Messi was a creator and goalscorer. He has 15 goals in 22 games so far this year. Guardiola's methodology clearly works for him.
"At the beginning it was a surprise when Guardiola was appointed coach," says Messi. "But from the first day we trusted him because he taught us the good values and skills to play as a team ."
The return to form has been so spectacular that Barca's fiercest rivals, Real Madrid, have been forced to respond. Not content with watching Guardiola's men dominate the spoils, Real spent big during the summer, bringing in Messi's Ballon d'Or predecessors Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, as well as French striker Karim Benzema.
Guardiola responded by signing Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic; four of global football's biggest names and rising stars switching to Spain in what was moving in a headline grabbing glamour transfer period for the country's two leading clubs. In fact, top talent from most of Europe's traditional powerhouse clubs were lured to the Primera League as Spain's elite ignored the economic uncertainty and invested heavily.
Messi, however, believes the Spanish division still lags behind England's Premier League. "Obviously the new players that have come to the Primera League have increased the level," he said. "It is evolving, but the English league is perhaps already there - their teams are always in the final of the Champions League and the later stages of every competition."
Barca, with Messi pulling the strings, look poised for more finals themselves in 2010. The same cannot be said of Messi's international fortunes.
The two-time World Cup winners, now coached by the legendary Diego Maradona, struggled through qualification. Maradona's team belatedly reached next summer's World Cup in South Africa and were handed a relatively easy group; only Greece, Nigeria and South Korea block their path to the last 16. Messi is certain they will get there.
"We know that it was really hard to qualify, but we also know we have a very good team with exceptional players," said Messi. "If we play as a team and work hard, we can do good things in the World Cup."
First on the agenda, however, is securing more honours for Barca - a club Messi has no intention of leaving any time soon. "As I have always said, I love Barcelona and want to stay here," said Messi.
That is not say the player's future could not one day lie beyond the Nou Camp walls. "But of course, we live in the present. I am here now and I do not know what will happen in the future, but I love this club and want to stay for years and years."
If the countless trophies and individual triumphs continue coming, Messi will have no reason to leave.
emegson@thenational.ae
The%20specs
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
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.
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
GMC Sierra Denali 1500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SPECS
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Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
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.
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Company%20Profile
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Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
The years Ramadan fell in May
