The look on Lionel Messi's face during and after Barcelona's 8-2 hammering to Bayern Munich in the Champions League said it all.
Dejected, embarrassed and shocked, it was a result which will live long in the memory, as Thomas Mueller-inspired Bayern ran rampant with a late double from Philippe Coutinho and yet another goal from Robert Lewandowski.
Thankfully for Messi, it hasn't been an experience that has occurred frequently during his career, with Barcelona usually handing out the beatings to teams across Spain and wider Europe.
But he hasn't been completely spared. Here's a look at the heaviest defeats he's suffered during his glittering career:
El Clasico nightmare
The context couldn't get much worse than this. If a 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid on May 7, 2008 wasn't miserable enough, Messi and his teammates also had to deal with giving their fierce rivals a guard of honour before the match having won the La Liga title.
Xavi was sent off for a second yellow card and Messi went goal-less with Thierry Henry netting the consolation.
This wasn't the only time Messi has been involved in a 4-1 La Liga defeat.
They were beaten by that scoreline at Celta Vigo in September 2015, despite having the dream strike force of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who netted. Nolito, Iago Aspas (two) and John Guidetti netted for Celta.
This result came just weeks after Messi and Barcelona were on the end of another rout - losing 4-0 to Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup.
Champions League carnage
You don't have to go too far back to find humiliation for Messi in the Champions League - just turn the clock back to Anfield and Liverpool in 2019 when Barcelona were beaten 4-0 in the semi-final second leg.
The moment of Messi-esque invention by Trent Alexander-Arnold for Divock Origi's late fourth goal has been replayed time and again.
Messi said afterwards: "It was one of the worst experiences in my career.”
Prior to that there was a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint Germain in 2017, and another 4-0 scoreline to Bayern Munich in 2013 when Thomas Mueller again put them to the sword with a double.
Argentina's worst defeat in 60 years
Messi hasn't been exempt from heavy defeats on the international stage, despite representing one of the most successful nations.
In April 2009, Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, headed to La Paz for a World Cup qualifier. The location is notoriously tricky for the away side because of the effects of altitude, but a 6-1 defeat was still a major shock and was Messi's heaviest defeat until the Bayern debacle on Friday.
Striker Joaquin Botero helped himself to a hat-trick, while Angel Di Maria was sent off for a strong Argentina side which included Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Javier Zanetti.
Messi and Argentina also lost 4-0 to Germany in the 2010 World Cup, with that man again, Thomas Mueller, on the scoresheet.
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Barca stars jeered on return to team hotel
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
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The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
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
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
