Pep Guardiola admitted it would have been impossible to control Lionel Messi for the full game after the Argentine helped to sink Manchester City in the Champions League.
The six-time world player of the year scored his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain as the French side avenged their loss in last season’s semi-finals with a 2-0 group stage victory on Tuesday.
Messi had been doubtful ahead of the game but proved his fitness with a stunning goal after 74 minutes of a compelling clash at the Parc des Princes, adding to Idrissa Gana Gueye’s early strike.
City boss Guardiola is well aware of the damage Messi can do to teams after the pair’s successes together for Barcelona, which included two Champions League wins.
“We dealt with PSG first of all but we know it’s impossible to control Leo during 90 minutes," he said.
“He was not much in touch with the ball – of course he was coming back from injury, he needed a bit of rhythm – but we know quite well when he can run and get close to the ball he is unstoppable.
“What we have done is minimise, as much as possible, these kinds of options and create the chances that we could create, and I’m satisfied with the way we played. People can’t deny that we were there.
"We arrived here, we did our game, but it’s always a risk when you lose the ball and they can make one pass, especially with [Marco] Verratti, an exceptional, extraordinary player, and make contact with Neymar and Messi and they can run, it’s difficult.
“We did a really good game but we should have scored goals and we didn’t do it. That’s why we lost.”
Guardiola added that he was “in love” with Italy midfielder Verratti, but it was inevitably Messi who took the plaudits.
“I wish him the best,” said Guardiola of his former Camp Nou star. “If he is happy and enjoying this period in Paris, I will be happy.”
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino was pleased for Messi that he had opened his goal-scoring account for the club after a slow start to his career in the French capital.
“I did celebrate the goal. Usually I don’t celebrate goals, I keep it to myself, but today, for Messi, I did," the former Tottenham Hotspur manager said.
“I spent years watching Messi score goals from the opponent’s side so this time, scoring for my team, that’s great.”
Pochettino was quick to point out, however, that Messi’s goal capped a fine team performance.
“You need this type of performance for a player like him to be able to score goals and fill the net.
“Victories are always a collective and from the team. It is a team sport. The victory comes against one of the best teams in the world and one of the best managers. It is obviously a very good result and I am very happy.”
The result ignited PSG’s challenge in Group A after their opening draw against Club Brugge and lifted them above City.
“The three points are really important. It wasn’t easy when City played really well but we managed to be really offensive and score two goals. I am pretty happy,” Pochettino said.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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