There are very few teams that Lionel Messi hasn't destroyed over the years.
From the likes of Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid to Champions League stalwarts such as Manchester United and Liverpool, the mercurial Barcelona forward has conjured every trick to defeat Europe's top clubs.
But it has been a rather different experience on the international stage, amid his well-documented difficulties with Argentina, for whom he is yet to win a major tournament with.
Though he is his country's record goalscorer with 68 goals, there has been much disappointment against South America's other illustrious footballing nation - Brazil.
Ahead of Tuesday's (4.30am Wednesday UAE) Copa America semi-final between the two teams in Belo Horizonte, Messi's record against Brazil is hardly anything to write home about.
His early experiences against the Selecao were a harsh introduction to the international scene. The first encounter came at the Emirates Stadium in London in 2006 in a friendly. Brazil won 3-0.
Next up was the Copa America final in 2007, in which Messi was marked out of the game as Brazil again ran out 3-0 winners.
His struggles continued in the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup when he fired blanks in a goalless draw in June 2008, and was on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat in Rosario in September 2009.
Finally, at the fifth attempt, Messi was able to leave the pitch against Brazil as a winner, having claimed a 1-0 victory in a friendly in Doha in 2010. It was also the occasion of Messi's first goal against Brazil - a typical burst through the centre of the pitch and clever, low finish from the edge of the penalty area.
Next, in 2012, came the only occasion Messi has truly dominated Brazil. Argentina won the friendly 4-3 and Messi came away with the match ball after a stunning hat-trick in New Jersey in front of a crowd of 82,000.
He was played in behind the Brazil defence and finished one-on-one situations calmly for his first two goals, while the third was a Messi special, as he embarked on a 40-yard dribble and then unleashed a banger from outside the box into the top corner. His reaction and that of his teammates and the Argentina staff showed that this was far from a "friendly" game.
"No one in the world has found a solution [to playing against him]," Brazil's manager at the time Mano Menezes said. "He had four chances and scored three goals ... Against some players you cannot give any space and perhaps we gave him too much."
Messi meanwhile told reporters "it's always beautiful to beat Brazil".
This was the high point of the Messi versus Brazil story. From here it was downhill and back to that losing feeling.
A 2-0 defeat in a friendly in China in 2014 was followed by a 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Brazil in 2016 in which Messi was largely anonymous.
The Argentina media labelled the result "a catastrophe" as their qualification hung in the balance, and Messi admitted his side struggled and had "a lot to change".
Brazil manager Tite revealed his masterplan for nullifying Messi . He said his team forced their way into the Argentina half more to the left so Messi, on the right, wouldn't be near the ball.
"When he was forced to move it became better for us because that other side was already crowded," he said.
At least Messi and Argentina go into their Copa America semi-final knowing that they were victorious the last time the two teams met - a 1-0 win at the MCG in Australia in 2017.
But Messi's record against Brazil stands at: played 9, won 3, drawn 1, lost 5. He's scored four times in those nine matches. Disappointing by his standards, but could it be about to improve?
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
New schools in Dubai
Mobile phone packages comparison
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EFor%20Euro%202024%20qualifers%20away%20to%20Malta%20on%20June%2016%20and%20at%20home%20to%20North%20Macedonia%20on%20June%2019%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Johnstone%2C%20Pickford%2C%20Ramsdale.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alexander-Arnold%2C%20Dunk%2C%20Guehi%2C%20Maguire%2C%20%20Mings%2C%20Shaw%2C%20Stones%2C%20Trippier%2C%20Walker.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bellingham%2C%20Eze%2C%20Gallagher%2C%20Henderson%2C%20%20Maddison%2C%20Phillips%2C%20Rice.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%2C%20Grealish%2C%20Kane%2C%20Rashford%2C%20Saka%2C%20Wilson.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
NEW ARRIVALS
Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m
