Igor Coronado’s route to the summit of UAE football is a road less travelled.
He was born in Brazil, but cut his teeth in Milton Keynes, England. Then followed a brief spell in Switzerland, a stint back in England – this time in the country’s seventh tier – almost three years in Malta, where he survived a career-threatening injury, and another three in Italy’s Serie B.
Coronado moved to Sharjah in July last year. Ten months later, he was an Arabian Gulf League champion and the division’s foreign player of the year.
Such has been his form this season – six goals, six assists from five games – that some are even pushing his case as the greatest import of the professional era.
Londrina to London to league luminary. It’s been some journey.
“You know, football has helped me my whole life,” says Coronado, having settled into his chair alongside Sharjah's training pitch. “I arrived in England when I was 13, knowing nothing.
“When I joined school it was all scary, especially when you don't speak the language. But then lunchtime came, people play football and it's like ‘You play?’ And then when they saw me playing, everyone wanted to talk to me and they became my friends, without speaking the language.
“Everything has made me grow as a player on the pitch and inside the changing room. There were some tough times, but good experiences as well.”
Clearly, each has combined to shape the person he is today. The move to the UK, as a nascent teenager with no English, because his parents struggled with work back in Brazil; the five years at MK Dons after impressing so much during a trial that they signed him three days later.
The senior debut, aged 15 and having never trained with the first team, in a closed-doors friendly against Glasgow Celtic. Coronado was so nervous that he could barely complete the warm-up.
“I was shaking a little bit; I literally couldn’t stretch my leg,” he says.
Yet he lasted 60 minutes, with his very first touch tried to nutmeg his marker. Predictably, it didn’t go down well, and Coronado still laughs at having to hurdle the left-back’s lunge.
“He was not looking for the ball at all,” he says. “After that I just kept it simple.
“England definitely helped me because it was very tough. I used to hog the ball, but today I know when to make decisions to pass and when to keep it. Obviously because of the tackles as well. But it definitely made me grow as a person also.”
So, too, other experiences.
The six months with the Under 21s at Grasshoppers Zurich while the first team battled relegation; the short return to England with Banbury United FC, in the uncompromising confines of the semi-professional Southern League Premier Division.
The two-and-a-half years at Floriana in Malta, chosen simply because he craved pro football. Coronado won the league’s player of the season on debut, but the club refused to allow him to further his career elsewhere.
The sports hernia that inflamed his lower stomach and groin and sidelined him for seven months, enough time for Coronado to question if his career was finished. Floriana ceased paying his salary and eventually ordered him to leave his house.
The recovery in the UK and Italy, then the play-off defeats at Trapani and Palermo that robbed him, agonisingly, of the chance to play in Serie A.
Still, it's made last season's success at Sharjah – the club's first UAE championship in 23 years and his Arabian Gulf League (AGL) foreign player of the year award – all the more sweet.
“That’s definitely the biggest achievement in my career because it's a league title,” Coronado says. “We know how hard it is to go a whole year on top of the league and we managed to do that. The feeling of being champion it's unique. Hopefully in my career I can have more feelings of that.”
It took a while for that sensation to subside. Sharjah had been expected to battle for mid-table at best, but went unbeaten through the opening 23 of 26 rounds to head the table. A first defeat, away to Al Wasl, frayed the nerves, but they got over the line in their penultimate fixture against Al Wahda.
Dutifully, Coronado did his bit, scoring twice in the 3-2 win to spark wild scenes at the Khaled bin Mohammed Stadium.
“First, in the changing room after the game, it was madness,” he says. “I don't know how long we stayed there celebrating. And I was celebrating too, like after a month, everything.
“I stayed here another week with my family and friends. So every day people are calling you out for dinner and you're enjoying your time. And sometimes maybe you're home sitting on the sofa watching TV and then you just get the memories, you start smiling alone.
“After I went to Brazil to my family. I had some big parties as well because I became champion. Yeah, it definitely was a great feeling.”
Despite the itinerant career, Brazil remains home. It is where Coronado honed the skills in the street or for his professional futsal team that have carried him forward: the expert dribbling, the even better set-piece execution. During his time with Sharjah, free-kicks against Al Ain and Kalba rank among his best goals.
“Since I was young, I was very passionate about football,” he says. “When I was five, six years old, I was staying at home, kicking the ball at the walls, breaking everything. And so I worked very hard since I was young. I was playing, but at the same time let's say I was working because I took it to the future, so now I'm still using the skills from when I was 10.
“I was the guy who takes the ball to school and makes the teams. Probably I should have studied more, but I was very focused on football. Thank God I managed to be a professional player because I don't know what else I could have been doing.”
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Sharjah celebrate AGL title success
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Patently, the endeavour is paying off. Coronado has been comfortably the league’s best player this season, something he puts down to becoming more familiar with the league. Until Kodjo Laba’s four goals for Al Ain at the weekend, he led both the goal and assist charts. It has lifted Sharjah to the top of the table after five rounds.
For the recent rise, Coronado credits in particular manager Abdulaziz Al Anbari, the softly spoken Emirati who in May became the first local manager to win the top-flight crown in the professional era.
“For me, it’s not just winning with an Emirati coach, but for the person that he is,” Coronado says. “His personality, he doesn't show a lot of feeling during the match. He knows how to keep the club nice and relaxed. There's no craziness going on around. That's all thanks to him.”
Most certainly, Coronado is thankful for his opportunities in Sharjah, on and off the pitch. With the club, he is close not only to the eight to 10 Brazilians there but to the local players, even though he concedes he knows only a few phrases and choice words in Arabic.
“Honestly, I thought English and Italian were hard, but Arabic has taken me the longest to pick up,” he says. “It’s incredible. It’s very tough.”
Away from football, he has wife Karyn, whom he’s known since he was aged 10, the pair later brought together by a mutual friend and MSN messenger by the time Coronado had left for Europe. Last year, the couple welcomed son Enrico to the family.
Coronado’s left arm is a dedication to his firstborn, who this week celebrated his first birthday. Underneath the religious tattoos that adorn his upper arm resides a clock commemorating the time Enrico was brought into the world, while the Burj Al Arab represents his city of birth.
Nearby, there's a silhouette of Coronado holding aloft Enrico, lifted from a photograph taken in Sharjah. It is close to a large depiction of Enrico’s face, which dominates the collection despite losing colour. Coronado took to the swimming pool days after it was inked, so will correct it next time he’s in Brazil.
At least, though, he’s got the real thing to cradle every day.
“Obviously I won many titles last year, but definitely this is the biggest title of my life,” Coronado says, beaming. “It's something very special because you cannot describe the feeling of a son or daughter.
"I believe that definitely made me work harder for him, for his future, and for my family. I thank God every day for the boy he has given me because he's brought me such a joy.”
Presumably, Coronado can’t wait until Enrico is old enough to appreciate what dad does for a living. He and Karyn love the Emirates – “it's an amazing country, amazing people. We're very happy here” – but as his stock rises so does the sense he could soon outgrow the AGL.
Coronado, 27, signed a contract extension last month. Yet his talent seems to demand another crack at Europe, this time in a major league.
“Career-wise, I always had the dream to play in the big stadiums, with a lot of fans, fighting for new challenges all the time,” he says. “Obviously, I have a lot of respect for Sharjah; I'm giving everything I can here and we have the league, the President's Cup, after so many years we'll be playing again the Asian Champions League.
“Europe’s definitely a dream of mine. I want to play in the big clubs. Why not? When you’re a player you must dream big. But you have to work hard so you achieve something. Last year we managed to achieve something I’m going to take for the rest of my life. Hopefully there’s more to come.
“I have to keep dreaming; belief is a big part. Big dreams keep pushing you to work hard. Hopefully I can achieve them. And if not I believe I gave 100 per cent – I’m giving 100 per cent – so in the end I can be happy no matter what.”
Company%C2%A0profile
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Aggro%20Dr1ft
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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
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%C2%A0profile
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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
Company%20Profile
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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
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Ant-Man%20and%20the%20Wasp%3A%20Quantumania
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India squad
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (rated 72-87) Dh 165,000 1,600m.
Winner: Syncopation, George Buckell, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Big Brown Bear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
Winner: Stunned, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
Winner: Pillar Of Society, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
LEADERBOARD
%3Cp%3E-19%20T%20Fleetwood%20(Eng)%3B%20-18%20R%20McIlroy%20(NI)%2C%20T%20Lawrence%20(SA)%3B%20-16%20J%20Smith%3B%20-15%20F%20Molinari%20(Ita)%3B%20-14%20Z%20Lombard%20(SA)%2C%20S%20Crocker%20(US)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESelected%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E-11%20A%20Meronk%20(Pol)%3B%20-10%20E%20Ferguson%20(Sco)%3B%20-8%20R%20Fox%20(NZ)%20-7%20L%20Donald%20(Eng)%3B%20-5%20T%20McKibbin%20(NI)%2C%20N%20Hoejgaard%20(Den)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
