Everton Ribeiro’s first few months at Al Ahli were fraught, even hugely frustrating.
Recruited amid much fanfare in February, the Brazilian arrived at a difficult period both individually and for his new employers. Ribeiro had only recently completed an extensive and exhausting season in his homeland, although he did excel, helping Cruzeiro capture the Brazilian championship. Subsequently, he was voted the league’s best player, its “Craque do Brasileirao”, for a second successive year.
Ahli, meanwhile, were toiling. UAE champions at a canter the previous campaign, they languished sixth in the league table, hands slowly pried from the trophy.
So Ribeiro’s acquisition, reputedly ahead of Manchester United, AC Milan and Monaco, was heralded as a game-changer. Ribeiro was both the solution and the saviour.
He scored on debut – a straightforward finish against Sharjah – but for some time that was as good as it got. In his next 11 domestic matches, Ribeiro managed one more goal. Predictably, the critics circled.
Read more: Luiz Felipe Scolari can find some measure of redemption in Asian Champions League final
However, much like his club, he soon found respite in the Asian Champions League. A goal away to Nasaf, the winner came nine minutes from time. Another in the defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli. His team’s opener in the frantic 3-2 home victory against Tractor Sazi.
Three goals in the final three group games. Two vitally important strikes as Ahli finished second to qualify from the knockouts for the first time in their history. Ahli’s unlikely route had Ribeiro at its heart.
Then, in the first leg of the last-16 encounter against Al Ain, Ribeiro ran his rivals ragged, controlling the tempo and conjuring the trouble, his side’s inventive hub. He casually flicked the ball over Ibrahim Diaky’s head, leaving three opponents trailing. He provided Ismail Al Hammadi with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.
The match finished goalless, but Ribeiro had taken a giant step forward. On a pitch that included Omar Abdulrahman, he was the game’s principal playmaker. Afterwards, Ribeiro’s relief was palpable, justifiable, too.
“When I arrived I was not 100 per cent ready and so I had to do extra work,” he said. “Finally, I’m feeling better and am playing better. About the critics, I don’t care. I know what I am capable of. I’ll allow my football to speak for me.”
It has done ever since, loud and clear. Ribeiro’s output has surged: four goals in the Champions League, four in five Arabian Gulf League matches to furnish Ahli’s 100 per cent start to this season.
And when he is not finding the net, he is finding teammates. Four assists in the league, four in Asia. Telling contributions as well, making Rodrigo Lima’s goal at Naft Tehran and twice assisting his compatriot against Al Hilal. Deep into injury-time in that semi-final second leg, Ribeiro’s free-kick fell to Kwon Kyung-won to score the winner.
But then, Ahli always knew what they were getting. Ribeiro was long the standout in Brazil, possessing a wonderful left foot and a pinpoint dead-ball delivery. He was courageous in possession, and audacious with it.
Look at his highlights reel at Cruzeiro – the “Kerlon” in the Copa Libertadores, the “chapeu” that created his famous goal against Flamengo, later nominated for Fifa’s Puskas Award.
Yet his peacock poise on the pitch is not mirrored off it. Speak to those at Ahli and they describe an accomplished footballer, but an understated individual. Ribeiro is well liked, welcome to the wisecracks and more comfortable now his fast-improving English allows it.
Gratifyingly, there is no taste for the limelight, no superstar ego for a player rumoured to command €4.5 million (Dh18m) in salary per year. Witness Ribeiro ghost through a mixed zone, his tiny frame typically with bag on his back, like the quiet schoolboy who comes alive only when a ball is at his feet.
It has impressed his colleagues at Ahli. Ribeiro trains hard, is a model professional. The focus to match the flair. In games, he regularly features in their top bracket for distance covered.
Little wonder he has found an ally in Lima. The two are cut from the same cloth, a contradiction to the somewhat-merited accusation that Brazilians wash up here only to sample the good life. From the outset, Ribeiro insisted he had other motivations.
“I have come here for the challenge,” he said upon signing. “Clubs in Europe also wanted me, but this is the project that appealed the most to me. I picked Ahli because of their plan to become the top club in Asia and win the Asian Champions League.”
Underpinned by his ability and application, Ribeiro stands two matches from guiding the club to that objective. If Ahli are to have any chance in Saturday’s first leg of the final with Guangzhou Evergrande, they need Ribeiro running at optimum. He is more than capable.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @NatSportUAE
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The%20specs
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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
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
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
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
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
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
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
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Results
ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):
First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
EXPATS
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The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Sweet%20Tooth
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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.
