Thiago Motta looked a sight. His angular face seemed gaunt, sad, and he had clearly not shaved for a while.
He had missed morning practice, without explanation, or a leave-of-absence and his club had been unable to contact him.
He now arrived to offer his apologies, and to admit to his head coach and colleagues that: "I have been having rough time, not just for one day, but longer."
______________
Also
• Klose and Muller edge Germany near Euro 2012 qualification
• Capello vindicated in win over Wales as England top group in Euro 2012
• Brazilian Neymar claims racist chants after win over Scotland
• England and Ghana celebrate their shared sporting, and cultural, history
_______________
That was four years ago this month. Motta, then 24, had glimpsed the dreams of his youth tarnishing and the career he had been encouraged to aspire to slipping out of reach.
"I started doubting myself," he told his teammates. "And I didn't know where to turn. So I did the worst thing possible, I didn't go to work."
It is safe to report that Motta's life has changed a great deal for the better since then. Last Friday night, he was telling reporters that his competitive debut in international football "could hardly have been more perfect".
He had just scored the only goal, following a neat exchange of passes with Federico Balzaretti, in Italy's 1-0 away win against Slovenia in Euro 2012 qualifying.
To shape that turnaround in his fortunes, Motta's circumstances have altered radically.
The grim day he went AWOL he was at Barcelona, saying sorry to teammates like Victor Valdes, Xavi and Carles Puyol whom he had known for the best part of seven years, since he enrolled at Barcelona's fabled La Masia academy as a 17 year-old.
Motta was born in the Sao Paulo region of Brazil, but crossed the Atlantic after his talent had been spotted by Barca scouts, who also liked the convenient fact he qualified for a European passport by virtue of having an Italian grandparent.
He had been a contemporary at La Masia of Pepe Reina, the Spain and Liverpool goalkeeper, of Valdes, Barcelona's current goalkeeper and of Fernando Navarro, the Spain full-back.
He developed a powerful left foot, and many of the admired characteristics of midfielders schooled at that club: a range of passing, the head-raised, comfort on the ball.
He also had qualities that other celebrated La Masia graduates, like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Leo Messi or Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas do not. Motta is tall, and physically imposing.
He made his first-team debut for Barcelona as a teenager. He scored some spectacular goals and showed versatility enough to be picked not only in the centre of midfield but at times at left-back, even in the centre of defence.
He was popular in the dressing-room, where he maintained his youthful ties with the in-house players but also befriended the Brazilians, such as Ronaldinho.
What Motta struggled with was guaranteeing himself a place in the Barcelona first XI.
Under Frank Rijkaard, a coach who showed Motta great support at the time of his personal crisis, it was Xavi, Deco and Iniesta who became the midfield strategists; other men were signed to take the anchor positions: Rafa Marquez, Edmilson, Mark Van Bommel.
Some doubts about Motta's temperament - he could be over-aggressive in the tackle and sometimes hotheaded - surfaced, and he was too often struck by muscular injuries.
Barcelona sold him to Atletico Madrid in 2007, two months after his unscheduled day off. Injury restricted him to a mere six league matches for Atletico.
He moved on to Italy with Genoa, and a new lease of life in Serie A.
After an excellent first 12 months in Serie A Jose Mourinho, then the head coach of Inter Milan, put Motta on his wanted list.
He duly joined the Italian champions and scored in his second match, a derby win over AC Milan.
Motta is still combative - a fact that Barcelona remembered when Sergio Busquets, another La Masia graduate, overreacted to a challenge and helped get Motta sent off in the Champions League semi-final at Motta's old home ground last season - and Mourinho liked that.
But Motta is more mature, at 28, and self-assured.
Being rather Brazilian had threatened to keep him out of the thinking of Cesare Prandelli, the Italy coach.
Motta actually represented his native country at youth level and in a 2003 Gold Cup tournament, although Fifa last month ruled that should not prevent him representing the senior Azzurri team.
Italian football has been good for Motta, and he is now looking pretty good for Italy.
sports@thenational.ae
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
More on animal trafficking
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20EPD%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
