They came, for the most part, to see the little Argentine with dynamite in his boots.
That should not surprise given that, for many, Lionel Messi sits out on his own as the greatest footballer to have graced the game.
On Wednesday night in Abu Dhabi, more than 36,000 packed inside the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium to witness a bona fide superstar at work, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni playing to the masses by starting his namesake in the friendly against hosts UAE.
Messi, not far removed from his dazzling early season with Paris Saint-Germain and not long from his anticipated final flourish at a World Cup, was front and centre in the capital – much to apparently everyone’s delight.
Even outside the stadium, “Messi 10” Argentina shirts were exchanging hands as if gold dust; inside people packed the seats and chanted and screamed whenever they caught sight of the pocket forward with one of the game’s bulkiest trophy collections.
In the warm-up, when Messi emerged at the tip of his team; when he curled practice shots into the top corner; when his name was called in the line-up over the PA system.
On eight minutes, when the first flash of Messi sent a dangerous low cross skidding across the UAE penalty area. Then, nine minutes later, when the Argentina captain was sent through by Angel Di Maria and unselfishly – that’s part of what makes him great – rolled the ball to Julian Alvarez, who duly placed his shot past Khalid Essa in the UAE goal.
Di Maria-Messi-Alvarez, the initial duo with their 17 major-league titles and five Uefa Champions Leagues – Messi owns four – and the latter whom much is expected of at Manchester City, the reigning English champions. That, remember, despite the World Cup shifting now into full view.
Argentina open their bid for a third global title in Doha in less than a week, where they kick off their campaign against Saudi Arabia.
The current Copa America title-holders are among the favourites for the crown, where a significant slice of people tuning in from around the football world will wish Messi’s global-finals swansong comes complete with World Cup trophy in hand.
On Wednesday’s viewing, in their concluding warm-up before Qatar 2022, Argentina appear in fine fettle. Granted, they were up against a UAE side ranked 67 places below them by Fifa, at No 70, a team in transition as Rodolfo Arruabarrena – the Argentina-born manager – blends experienced heads with youthful enterprise.
Hugely dominant, the visitors were 4-0 up by half-time. After Alvarez set them on their way, Di Maria volleyed beautifully home from Marcos Acuna’s perfectly floated cross, before the Juventus winger jinked through the UAE defence to round Essa and make it three.
Of course, Messi would not be outdone. Not long before half-time, the record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner exchanged a neat one-two with Di Maria, stepped past Alhasan Saleh and lifted the ball high across Essa and into the corner. Predictably, the place erupted.
It did again when Messi returned, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, for the second half. Saudi lie in wait six days away, but Scaloni did not relent. At least Di Maria was given a breather.
Arruabarrena, meanwhile, replaced UAE captain Ali Mabkhout with Fabio De Lima, and midfielder Ali Salmeen with Majed Rashid.
Suddenly, the home side sprung to life. Harib Abdallah rocked the crossbar from range; seconds later, Abdullah Ramadan tested goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at full stretch.
Just to remind there was a game to be contested, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez picked up a yellow card for constantly chipping away at Al Ain’s Caio Canedo.
On the hour, Argentina's fifth goal. Rodrigo De Paul slipped in substitute Joaquin Correa who finished beyond Essa, via a Saleh deflection. At the other end, Canedo blasted over from the angle.
By then, Messi had receded to fleeting sparks of life, flitting in and out of view. As much as Messi can. Sixty-eight minutes in, as Argentina prepared a corner, Messi waved to one section of the stands and it felt another goal had been plundered.
There was time enough for Messi to arch a free-kick just off target. And, too, for UAE substitute Ali Saleh to force a fine save from Martinez on the break and Canedo’s rebound - surely a certain goal - to be blocked gallantly on the line.
Soon, the night was over. Messi had helped Argentina extend their unbeaten streak to 36 matches, having in the process thrilled the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. At 35, the diminutive dynamo's star-power burns bright still.
Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
RESULT
Chelsea 2
Willian 13'
Ross Barkley 64'
Liverpool 0
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
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
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Company%20profile
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