From San Siro to the Etihad, a new chapter is underway for Tijjani Reijnders. The midfielder who made his mark at Milan with key goals and a calm presence joined Manchester City not as a headline act, but as a player of balance.
In a sport often driven by noise, his story is one of quiet confidence, discipline and steady impact.
Manchester City’s squad was in urgent need of renewal after Kevin De Bruyne's departure left a creative vacuum. City moved swiftly, bringing in Reijnders as part of a reimagined midfield that now also includes the mercurial Rayan Cherki.
A classic box-to-box midfielder, the Dutchman thrives on identifying and exploiting space – both on and off the ball.
As evidenced by his performance in the Club World Cup so far, Reijnders has slotted in at his new club with ease. “He is a really, really good player. You feel it, you smell it. The pace, in the final third, with the ball, when he will get a little bit more rhythm, he will be top,” said Pep Guardiola of his new acquisition.
After arriving at Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023, Reijnders' quality quickly shone through. Named Serie A’s best midfielder of the season, he scored 15 goals in all competitions, the most of any central midfielder across Europe’s top five leagues. He emerged as a rare bright spot in an underwhelming Milan side.
Reijnders credits his family’s influence and closeness for the growth of his career.
“My mother is Indonesian and my father is Dutch,” he said. “My siblings and I are a mix. My son Xavien is an incredible mix because my wife is from Iraq.
“As a child, I had Indonesian and Dutch influences which shaped me into who I am today. From Dutch culture, I learnt to stay grounded, and from the Indonesian side, to be very proud of what you do and achieve.”
That blend of cultures extends even to his name. Tijjani Reijnders was named after Nigerian winger Tijani Babangida, a former Ajax star whose talent left a lasting impression on his parents. Drawn to the name as much as the player’s flair, they chose it for their son, a not-so-subtle nod to the game that would soon shape his life.
Football ran deep in the family. His father, Martin Reijnders, was also a footballer, a forward who played in the Netherlands, Finland, and the United States.
Following in his footsteps, Tijjani pursued the sport from a young age. But humility was always part of the journey. While rising through the ranks at PEC Zwolle’s academy, his parents insisted he take a job stacking shelves at Aldi to learn the value of money and ensure discipline.
He met his Iraqi wife, Marina, on Instagram, pursuing her until she agreed to meet him for tea. From the start, he told her that his first girlfriend would be his wife, and so it proved.
Marina was by his side as Reijnders' career gathered momentum, and in February last year their son Xavien was born in Milan. Reijnders describes him as “a beautiful blend of cultures” and is proud that his first word was in Arabic: “Baba.”
Reijnders has often expressed his deep gratitude to Milan – the city that embraced his young family and the club that offered him the platform to thrive. But his journey there might never have happened.
When Barcelona came calling, it was his dad who advised him to walk away. “Obviously it’s flattering that they had him in their sights, after all, we are talking about Barca,” Reijnders senior told Algemeen Dagblad.
“But they were looking for a replacement for Sergio Busquets. I immediately said to Tijjani: ‘You’re not that type of player. Before you know it, you’ll be on the bench, just another talent who didn’t make it abroad'.”
In Milan, Reijnders found exactly what he needed: consistency, clarity, and the space to grow. “Speaking with [Stefano] Pioli [Milan’s former coach] I discovered that the club had followed me all year and the coach knew exactly what I could add to the team and had also been very clear about my role as an attacking midfielder,” he said.
Reijnders is most comfortable as a number eight – a dynamic presence who shuttles between boxes and contributes to both attacking and defensive phases.
Under Paolo Fonseca, who succeeded Pioli, his versatility became even more evident. He was at times deployed just behind the striker, and at others as a deep-lying number six shielding the back line.
What truly set him apart, however, was his composure on the biggest stages. He scored in three Milan derbies last season and delivered a standout performance against Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League.
Sergio Conceicao's arrival saw Reijnders evolve further, becoming both the heartbeat of Milan’s midfield and a visible leader on the pitch. When trailing 1–0 to Cesc Fabregas’s Como in Serie A, he showcased the full scope of his game. He assisted Christian Pulisic’s equaliser and rattled the crossbar before finally curling in the winner.
Amid managerial upheaval, Reijnders provided consistency. His tactical intelligence flourished, his game matured and his influence grew, catching the attention of Manchester City, among others.
“It feels like the right time for Reijnders to make this move,” Italian football expert Nicky Bandini told The National.
“To me it seemed like the world sat up and paid attention a bit after his performances for the Netherlands at Euro 24 but if anything, the last year has given him a chance to show even more what a player he has become.
“This was a difficult season for Milan, changing managers in the summer then again in December, and more than any other player Reijnders showed he could adapt to different systems and fill different roles in the team – something that a manager such as Guardiola, with his constantly evolving schemes, will always appreciate.
“I don't think City fans should necessarily expect him to keep up his scoring rate from this season – 15 goals across all competitions – because that's still not his primary role as a footballer.
“But I think that number reflects how he has matured and become more confident in his decisions in the final third. He has talked about being less hasty on the pitch, and it shows.”
Reijnders earned praise for his positional discipline and ability to shield the ball during City’s opening match against Wydad Casablanca. Yet questions remain over his defensive bite and effectiveness in duels – areas still ripe for development.
Rested against Al Ain, his upcoming test against Juventus will offer another snapshot of his talents against familiar opposition.
It will be fascinating to see whether Guardiola, alongside Reijnders' compatriot and new assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders, can help him evolve into a truly complete midfielder.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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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
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Everton 1 Stoke City 0
Everton (Rooney 45 1')
Man of the Match Phil Jagielka (Everton)
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
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
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
How Voiss turns words to speech
The device has a screen reader or software that monitors what happens on the screen
The screen reader sends the text to the speech synthesiser
This converts to audio whatever it receives from screen reader, so the person can hear what is happening on the screen
A VOISS computer costs between $200 and $250 depending on memory card capacity that ranges from 32GB to 128GB
The speech synthesisers VOISS develops are free
Subsequent computer versions will include improvements such as wireless keyboards
Arabic voice in affordable talking computer to be added next year to English, Portuguese, and Spanish synthesiser
Partnerships planned during Expo 2020 Dubai to add more languages
At least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment or blindness
More than 90 per cent live in developing countries
The Long-term aim of VOISS to reach the technology to people in poor countries with workshops that teach them to build their own device
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
