• Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates on his debut for Al Nassr with teammate Anderson Talisca, who scored the winner in the 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 22, 2023. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates on his debut for Al Nassr with teammate Anderson Talisca, who scored the winner in the 1-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 22, 2023. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca, who scored Al Nassr's winner against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca, who scored Al Nassr's winner against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Anderson Talisca. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo makes a run on his Al Nassr debut. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo makes a run on his Al Nassr debut. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al Nassr against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al Nassr against Al Ettifaq. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Anderson Talisca's winning goal. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Anderson Talisca's winning goal. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr runs with the ball. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr runs with the ball. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game at Mrsool Park Stadium. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game at Mrsool Park Stadium. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ittifaq. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr and Al Ittifaq. Getty
  • Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo fights for the ball. AP
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo fights for the ball. AP
  • All Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo checks on teammate Pity Martinez during the game. AFP
    All Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo checks on teammate Pity Martinez during the game. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before kick-off. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before kick-off. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr leads the team out for the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr leads the team out for the game against Al Ittifaq. Getty
  • Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
    Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the game. Getty
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Al Nassr's winner with teammates. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates Al Nassr's winner with teammates. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo takes a free-kick during. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo takes a free-kick during. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo dribbles with the ball. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo dribbles with the ball. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Ali Al Lajami and Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Anderson Talisca celebrates scoring their winner with Ali Al Lajami and Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match. EPA
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match. EPA
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo wins a header. EPA
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo wins a header. EPA
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo greets supporters ahead of the match against Al Ettifaq. AFP
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo greets supporters ahead of the match against Al Ettifaq. AFP
  • Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo battles at a corner-kick. AFP
    Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo battles at a corner-kick. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before the game. Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr before the game. Getty
  • A supporter of Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt. AFP
    A supporter of Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt. AFP
  • Al Nassr fans sit under a giant poster of Cristiano Ronaldo. AP
    Al Nassr fans sit under a giant poster of Cristiano Ronaldo. AP
  • A fan of Al Nassr's holds up a Cristiano Ronaldo poster before the match. Reuters
    A fan of Al Nassr's holds up a Cristiano Ronaldo poster before the match. Reuters
  • A fan Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo banner. Getty
    A fan Al Nassr with a Cristiano Ronaldo banner. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo 'happy' to finally make Al Nassr bow, says coach Rudi Garcia


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Al Nassr manager Rudi Garcia said Cristiano Ronaldo was happy to finally make his debut for the club, but said they must ensure the forward is in his best shape to maximise his talent.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star captained Nassr on his first appearance for the Saudi Pro League side, helping his new team to a 1-0 victory against Al Ettifaq at Mrsool Park on Sunday night. Brazilian Anderson Taslica got the game’s only goal, on 30 minutes.

However, the majority of attention was on Ronaldo following last month’s hugely lucrative move to Saudi football. The Portugal captain, a free agent having in November left United by mutual consent, signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Nassr understood to be worth more than $200 million per year.

Speaking after the win that took Nassr, nine-time Saudi champions, back to the top of the table, Garcia said: “Everyone knows Cristiano – he’s a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. He’s one of the best players in the history of football.

“It’s up to us to make sure we get him in the best condition. I want him to enjoy playing here and tonight he was happy to play for the first time.”

Ronaldo, 37, showed plenty of endeavour on Sunday night as he led the Nassr attack with Talisca and Argentine Pity Martinez playing either side. Yet he only once troubled Ettifaq goalkeeper Paulo Victor, forcing the Brazilian into a low save with 12 minutes remaining.

Still, the victory lifted Nassr back to the standings' summit, one point ahead of city rivals and reigning champions Al Hilal – although Hilal have played a match more (15). Last champions in 2019, Nassr's next game is against third-placed Al Ittihad on Thursday, albeit in the Saudi Super Cup.

On Ronaldo settling into the team, Garcia said: “It’s very important for the players to play normally and not always try to give the ball to Cristiano. I told them they need to make the right choices on the pitch.

"Obviously when Cristiano or Talisca are alone and asking for the ball we need to give them the ball. These two players are able to make the difference.

“Tonight, I think that sometimes we had good positions to cross but not enough people in the box – and sometimes no Ronaldo and no Talisca.

“We need to work on that, to have one of them in the box and maybe the other playing outside the box.”

  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal for Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 19, 2023. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the second goal for Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 19, 2023. AP
  • Lionel Messi is congratulated by his PSG teammates after opening the scoring.
    Lionel Messi is congratulated by his PSG teammates after opening the scoring.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the first goal for Riyadh All-Stars. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the first goal for Riyadh All-Stars. AP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Riyadh All-Stars' first goal. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring Riyadh All-Stars' first goal. AFP
  • Kylian Mbappe scores the fourth goal for PSG. AFP
    Kylian Mbappe scores the fourth goal for PSG. AFP
  • Riyadh All-Star's South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo levels at 3-3. AFP
    Riyadh All-Star's South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo levels at 3-3. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo takes a throw-in. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Cristiano Ronaldo takes a throw-in. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to take a penalty. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to take a penalty. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot for the Riyadh All-Stars. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot for the Riyadh All-Stars. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Paris Saint-Germain. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Paris Saint-Germain. AFP
  • PSG forward Lionel Messi next to long-time rival, Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
    PSG forward Lionel Messi next to long-time rival, Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo greets Riyadh All-Stars' Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo after being substituted. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo greets Riyadh All-Stars' Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo after being substituted. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his team's third goal. AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his team's third goal. AFP
  • Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
    Riyadh All-Star's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. AFP
  • PSG's Kylian Mbappe greets Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
    PSG's Kylian Mbappe greets Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo grimaces. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo grimaces. AP
  • PSG's Hugo Ekitike (l) celebrates after scoring their fifth. AP
    PSG's Hugo Ekitike (l) celebrates after scoring their fifth. AP
  • Lionel Messi takes a shot. AFP
    Lionel Messi takes a shot. AFP
  • PSG defender Juan Bernat is shown the red card by Qatari referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim. AFP
    PSG defender Juan Bernat is shown the red card by Qatari referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim. AFP
  • Juan Bernat fouls Riyadh All-Star's Saudi midfielder Salem al-Dawsari, leading to a red card. AFP
    Juan Bernat fouls Riyadh All-Star's Saudi midfielder Salem al-Dawsari, leading to a red card. AFP
  • PSG's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal in Riyadh. AFP
    PSG's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal in Riyadh. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is challenged by PSG's Lionel Messi. AP
    Cristiano Ronaldo is challenged by PSG's Lionel Messi. AP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG's Marquinhos with officials before the match. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG's Marquinhos with officials before the match. Reuters
  • Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar ahead of the match. AFP
    Paris Saint-Germain forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar ahead of the match. AFP
  • PSG''s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar warm up. AFP
    PSG''s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar warm up. AFP
  • A fan holds up a banner of Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
    A fan holds up a banner of Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
    Cristiano Ronaldo during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Messi and Ronaldo vie for the ball during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Messi and Ronaldo vie for the ball during the Riyadh All-Stars against PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Lionel Messi lines up before kick off. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Lionel Messi lines up before kick off. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Lionel Messi shoots at goal. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Lionel Messi shoots at goal. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
  • Saudi All-Stars in action against French champions PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority
    Saudi All-Stars in action against French champions PSG at the King Fahd University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: General Entertainment Authority

Meanwhile, Ettifaq manager Patrice Carteron welcomed Ronaldo’s arrival to the league, describing setting up his side to face the all-time record goalscorer in men’s international football as “a privilege”.

“I am very happy that he came to Saudi Arabia for the excitement of every game, and at a big club like Al Nassr,” Carteron said. “It’s fantastic news for football here, and everyone will enjoy it and every ground should be full.

“He’s a fantastic player and we were all happy to face such a player. He played a good game today. He did not score, but he’s so dangerous.

“You can see he’s still not 100 per cent, but it’s a privilege to face him - and we wish him all the best.”

RESULT

Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: 
Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')

Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)

Manchester United v Liverpool

Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)

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

The biog

Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha

Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Holiday destination: Sri Lanka

First car: VW Golf

Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters

Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten

Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a  month before Reaching the Last Mile.

Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

 

Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

Updated: January 23, 2023, 12:10 PM