• Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski during training in Dallas ahead of their friendly against Juventus. EPA
    Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski during training in Dallas ahead of their friendly against Juventus. EPA
  • Robert Lewandowski during Barcelona's training session in Dallas, Texas, on Monday, July 25, 2022. EPA
    Robert Lewandowski during Barcelona's training session in Dallas, Texas, on Monday, July 25, 2022. EPA
  • Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, left, Ansu Fati, Jordi Alba, and Gerard Pique, right, train in Dallas. EPA
    Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, left, Ansu Fati, Jordi Alba, and Gerard Pique, right, train in Dallas. EPA
  • Robert Lewandowski trains for the friendly against Juventus in Dallas. EPA
    Robert Lewandowski trains for the friendly against Juventus in Dallas. EPA
  • Ronald Araujo during Barca's training session ahead of the friendly against Juventus at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Getty
    Ronald Araujo during Barca's training session ahead of the friendly against Juventus at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Getty
  • Sergio Busquets takes part in a training session. Getty
    Sergio Busquets takes part in a training session. Getty
  • Ousmane Dembele and Gerard Pique during training. Getty
    Ousmane Dembele and Gerard Pique during training. Getty
  • Alejandro Balde during Barcelona's training session. Getty
    Alejandro Balde during Barcelona's training session. Getty
  • Barcelona players warm up during a training session. Getty
    Barcelona players warm up during a training session. Getty
  • Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez oversees a training session. Getty
    Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez oversees a training session. Getty

Lewandowski ready to help Barcelona fulfil 'huge potential' and get back to winning titles


  • English
  • Arabic

Robert Lewandowski said he is setting his sights on nothing less than success and titles at Barcelona and hopes his experience can help take the club to a new level.

Lewandowski joined Barcelona last week from Bayern Munich in a deal reported to be worth around €50 million, with the prolific Polish striker signing a three-year contract.

The 33-year-old forward takes him with to Barca a wealth of experience in winning major titles and scoring goals on the biggest stages. Across 12 years in Germany - the first four with Borussia Dortmund before joining Bayern - Lewandowski won 10 Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, and the 2020 Champions League.

The Pole's goals were critical to that success: Lewandowski scored 447 goals in 562 games across all competitions for Dortmund and Bayern, while his 312 Bundesliga goals places him second on the all-time list, behind only Gerd Muller's 365.

Lewandowski is now part of a Barcelona squad whose only trophy in the past three years has been one Copa del Rey and finished last season's La Liga campaign 13 points behind rivals Real Madrid. But Barca are investing heavily in improving their squad this summer, and Lewandowski believes his experience can help his teammates achieve great things this season.

"I hope so, yes," he said during a press conference ahead of Barca's pre-season match against Juventus in Dallas, Texas. "In my head it's always to win games and score goals and it doesn't matter who we are playing against or even in a training session.

"In the team I see a lot of things like that; young guys very hungry to show their skills and best performances, so I'm very glad to be here and part of this team. I see huge potential and I hope all together we get better."

Barcelona beat Real Madrid in Las Vegas

  • Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during the 1-0 clasico friendly win against Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 23, 2022. AFP
    Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after scoring during the 1-0 clasico friendly win against Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 23, 2022. AFP
  • Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring for Barcelona during the friendly match against Real Madrid. AFP
    Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring for Barcelona during the friendly match against Real Madrid. AFP
  • Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring for Barcelona against Real Madrid. AFP
    Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring for Barcelona against Real Madrid. AFP
  • Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger during the match at Allegiant Stadium. AFP
    Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger during the match at Allegiant Stadium. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski runs with the ball during the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski runs with the ball during the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski and Gavi during the pre-season game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. EPA
    Robert Lewandowski and Gavi during the pre-season game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. EPA
  • Barcelona defender Abdessemad Ezzalzouli covers Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. USA Today
    Barcelona defender Abdessemad Ezzalzouli covers Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. USA Today
  • Barcelona defender Jordi Alba fouls Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. USA Today
    Barcelona defender Jordi Alba fouls Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. USA Today
  • Real Madrid defender Eder Militao defends the ball against Barcelona midfielder Gavi. USA Today
    Real Madrid defender Eder Militao defends the ball against Barcelona midfielder Gavi. USA Today
  • Fans cheer on Barcelona and Real Madrid during the pre-season game at Allegiant Stadium. EPA
    Fans cheer on Barcelona and Real Madrid during the pre-season game at Allegiant Stadium. EPA
  • Barcelona fans cheer on their team during the pre-season game against Real Madrid. EPA
    Barcelona fans cheer on their team during the pre-season game against Real Madrid. EPA
  • Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr controls the ball against Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. USA Today
    Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr controls the ball against Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. USA Today
  • Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen controls the ball ahead of Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard. USA Today
    Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen controls the ball ahead of Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard. USA Today
  • Barcelona players celebrate a goal scored by Raphinha against Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium. USA Today
    Barcelona players celebrate a goal scored by Raphinha against Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium. USA Today
  • Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save against Barcelona. USA Today
    Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save against Barcelona. USA Today
  • Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard looks on against Barcelona during a game at Allegiant Stadium. USA Today
    Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard looks on against Barcelona during a game at Allegiant Stadium. USA Today
  • Barcelona manager Xavi gives a thumbs up prior to kickoff for the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. AFP
    Barcelona manager Xavi gives a thumbs up prior to kickoff for the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. AFP
  • Players take the field for the friendly match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium. AFP
    Players take the field for the friendly match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Allegiant Stadium. AFP
  • Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie takes the shot against Real Madrid. EPA
    Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie takes the shot against Real Madrid. EPA
  • Real Madrid defender Eder Militao blocks a shot from Barcelona full-back Alex Balde. EPA
    Real Madrid defender Eder Militao blocks a shot from Barcelona full-back Alex Balde. EPA
  • Thibaut Courtois makes a save during the pre-season game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. EPA
    Thibaut Courtois makes a save during the pre-season game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. EPA
  • Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele takes on Real Madrid defender Nacho. AFP
    Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele takes on Real Madrid defender Nacho. AFP
  • Barcelona manager Xavi appeals to officials for a handball against Real Madrid. AFP
    Barcelona manager Xavi appeals to officials for a handball against Real Madrid. AFP
  • Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti watches as Sergino Dest of Barcelona vies for the ball with Mariano Diaz of Real Madrid. AFP
    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti watches as Sergino Dest of Barcelona vies for the ball with Mariano Diaz of Real Madrid. AFP

Lewandowski is set to form a new-look forward line at Barcelona, which will include fellow new signing Raphinha, signed from Leeds United earlier this month.

The Brazilian winger has already started encouragingly, with goals in each of Barca's two pre-season matches so far, including the winner in the 1-0 win against Real Madrid, and Lewandowski is confident he will quickly strike up an effective partnership with Raphinha and the rest of his teammates.

"Raphinha is a top player with huge quality and I think all of Barcelona's forward players have a great connection from the first training session," he said. "We have some young players with huge potential and I know that football language is easier to understand when you have this quality."

  • Robert Lewandowski warms up with Barcelona teammates on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP
    Robert Lewandowski warms up with Barcelona teammates on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP
  • Barcelona's new signing Robert Lewandowski arrives to DRV PNK Stadium for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP
    Barcelona's new signing Robert Lewandowski arrives to DRV PNK Stadium for the friendly against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP
  • Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, Sergino Dest and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP
    Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, Sergino Dest and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AFP
  • Former NFL player Chad Johnson greets Robert Lewandowski at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.AFP
    Former NFL player Chad Johnson greets Robert Lewandowski at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski trained with his Barcelona teammates in Florida on Tuesday. Getty
    Robert Lewandowski trained with his Barcelona teammates in Florida on Tuesday. Getty
  • Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski during training in Florida. AFP
  • Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas greets Robert Lewandowski. AFP
    Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas greets Robert Lewandowski. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski and Gerard Pique of Barcelona look on from the bench during the friendly against Inter Miami. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski and Gerard Pique of Barcelona look on from the bench during the friendly against Inter Miami. AFP
  • Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona with Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami. AFP
    Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona with Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami. AFP

Turning 34 next month, Lewandowski is approaching the latter part of his career and there have been some questions over why Barcelona would offer a long-term contract to a player of his age - even a player that has achieved so much. However, Lewandowski insisted he has plenty more left in the tank.

"My body feels very good and I'm not thinking yet about how many years I can still have at the highest level," he said. "This is only age. Last time I did a test of my body, it's younger than my age so I hope I can play many more successful years."

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said the chance to sign Lewandowski was too good to pass up, and he expects the Poland captain to have a massive influence on his squad, both through his performances and his leadership.

"If you have the opportunity to sign this kind of player - not only a big star but he is humble, professional, a top player in his position - he is helping us a lot," Xavi said. "The team is growing a lot with the signing of Robert Lewandowski so I'm very happy to have him in the squad."

Scoreline

Australia 2-1 Thailand

Australia: Juric 69', Leckie 86'
Thailand: Pokklaw 82'

BABYLON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Damien%20Chazelle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Brad%20Pitt%2C%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Jean%20Smart%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champioons League semi-final, first leg:

Liverpool 5
Salah (35', 45 1'), Mane (56'), Firmino (61', 68')

Roma 2
Dzeko (81'), Perotti (85' pen)

Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

What is an FTO Designation?

FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes. 

It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.

Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.

Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.

Source: US Department of State

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km

Price: from Dh547,600

On sale: now 

UAE squad

Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.

Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Previous men's records
  • 2:01:39: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) on 16/9/19 in Berlin
  • 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
  • 2:03:23: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) on 29/09/2013 in Berlin
  • 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
  • 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
  • 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
  • 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
  • 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
  • 2:05:42: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 24/10/1999 in Chicago
  • 2:06:05: Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) 20/09/1998 in Berlin
MATCH INFO

Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: BeIN Sports

APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits

Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Crime%20Wave
%3Cp%3EHeavyweight%20boxer%20Fury%20revealed%20on%20Sunday%20his%20cousin%20had%20been%20%E2%80%9Cstabbed%20in%20the%20neck%E2%80%9D%20and%20called%20on%20the%20courts%20to%20address%20the%20wave%20of%20more%20sentencing%20of%20offenders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERico%20Burton%2C%2031%2C%20was%20found%20with%20stab%20wounds%20at%20around%203am%20on%20Sunday%20in%20Goose%20Green%2C%20Altrincham%20and%20subsequently%20died%20of%20his%20injuries.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%E2%80%9CMy%20cousin%20was%20murdered%20last%20night%2C%20stabbed%20in%20the%20neck%20this%20is%20becoming%20ridiculous%20%E2%80%A6%20idiots%20carry%20knives.%20This%20needs%20to%20stop%2C%E2%80%9D%0D%20Fury%20said.%20%E2%80%9CAsap%2C%20UK%20government%20needs%20to%20bring%20higher%20sentencing%20for%20knife%20crime%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20pandemic%20%26amp%3B%20you%20don%E2%80%99t%20know%20how%20bad%20it%20is%20until%20%5Bit%E2%80%99s%5D%201%20of%20your%20own!%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
EA Sports FC 25
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Updated: July 26, 2022, 10:47 AM