Ramires left Chelsea this week, and it is not to Bayern Munich, Juventus or Paris Saint-Germain, three clubs recently linked to the Brazil international.
At 28, and despite beginning only seven Premier League matches this season, the midfielder represents an understandable target for Europe’s sides given his reputation and record. Last season, Ramires featured 23 times in the league for Chelsea, helping the club become champions of England.
He is a footballer of significant substance, hence the reported interest from the reigning champions in Germany, Italy and France.
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However, Ramires was set for Jiangsu Suning, the ninth-best club in last season’s Chinese Super League. From West London to the Far East, worth approximately €28 million (Dh112m) in transfer fee. It is an extraordinary move in what is fast becoming one of football’s most remarkable stories.
The Chinese Super League, already replete with notable names in Paulinho, Asamoah Gyan, Demba Ba, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Sven-Goran Eriksson, this past week added Gervinho, with the Ivory Coast forward signing for Hebei China Fortune, a club who secured promotion to the top flight only in November.
Private beach and helicopter jokes aside, the ability to attract a 28-year-old starter from a leading European side, Roma, underlines the increasing pull of China.
Its appeal appears set only to grow. This month, Nani, Fredy Guarin and Wesley Sneijder have been suggested targets for Shanghai Shenhua. Late Wednesday, Guarin sealed a deal to join from Inter Milan.
Irrespective of the veracity of the other speculation, the list of potential acquisitions demonstrates China’s ambition. It is worrying development for UAE football.
The Arabian Gulf League has made substantial strides since turning professional in 2008, and the past few years have highlighted a welcome shift in transfer policy. For the majority, Emirati clubs have begun to favour young, emerging players with potential, rather than star names. In recent seasons Manuel Lanzini, Fabio de Lima and Everton Ribeiro have excelled.
Yet China’s rise, reflected last November in Guangzhou’s second Asian Champions League success in three years, constitutes a considerable threat. Footballers seeking a change in environment have an attractive alternative, bona fide and bankrolled by big business, backed by president Xi Jinping’s desire to place Chinese football on the map.
That Ribeiro, arguably the AGL’s most accomplished foreign playmaker, currently interests Guangzhou reinforces China’s emergence as an authentic rival to the UAE.
Gyan was a high-profile departure to SIPG last July, but Al Ain were keen to cash in on a striker approaching 30 and increasingly susceptible to injury. Still, Emirati clubs will not compete with weekly salaries believed to be upwards of €300,000 (Dh1.20 million).
China has the resources and the fan base: last season, attendances averaged at 21,800 compared to 2,529 in the AGL. Most importantly, it has the ambition. The CSL already boasts the continental champions; as the capture of Ramires indicates, it is rapidly transforming into Asia’s premier football destination, too.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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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
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.
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Team Angel Wolf Beach Blast takes place every Wednesday between 4:30pm and 5:30pm
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