• Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have vied for the past decade to be football's top star. AFP
    Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have vied for the past decade to be football's top star. AFP
  • Eden Hazard: The Belgian forward currently operates on that rung just below Messi and Ronaldo but is a bona-fide match-winner and is at a club where his prospects of domestic and European glory has increased 10-fold. While Real Madrid have yet to see the best of Hazard since his big-money move from Chelsea over the summer, few doubt that he will replicate the form that made him one of the Premier League’s standout performers over several seasons in West London. When Messi and Ronaldo are ready to hand over their mantle as world’s best, Hazard will be ready and waiting. (Steve Luckings, deputy sports editor) AFP
    Eden Hazard: The Belgian forward currently operates on that rung just below Messi and Ronaldo but is a bona-fide match-winner and is at a club where his prospects of domestic and European glory has increased 10-fold. While Real Madrid have yet to see the best of Hazard since his big-money move from Chelsea over the summer, few doubt that he will replicate the form that made him one of the Premier League’s standout performers over several seasons in West London. When Messi and Ronaldo are ready to hand over their mantle as world’s best, Hazard will be ready and waiting. (Steve Luckings, deputy sports editor) AFP
  • Phil Foden: He has been described by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as the most talented young player he has ever seen. Guardiola is the best manager in the game and has coached Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kevin de Bruyne, and Robert Lewandowski. End of argument. Now if Pep would actually pick 19-year-old Foden a bit more frequently, we could all make up our own minds. (Dominic Hart, sports editor) EPA
    Phil Foden: He has been described by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as the most talented young player he has ever seen. Guardiola is the best manager in the game and has coached Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kevin de Bruyne, and Robert Lewandowski. End of argument. Now if Pep would actually pick 19-year-old Foden a bit more frequently, we could all make up our own minds. (Dominic Hart, sports editor) EPA
  • No one. Or, to be more specific, no one will dominate in an era in a way that Messi and Ronaldo have done. They have won 11 of last 12 Ballons d'Or. The previous 10 were won by 10 different players. So, and while Kylian Mbappe is the likeliest candidate, there will probably be more contenders and fewer certainties in the conversation. Instead, what we may see are more repeats of 2018, when Luka Modric won, and a player who has had an excellent World Cup, European Championships or Champions League but is not necessarily, definitively the best secures the individual honours. (Richard Jolly, football correspondent) AP Photo
    No one. Or, to be more specific, no one will dominate in an era in a way that Messi and Ronaldo have done. They have won 11 of last 12 Ballons d'Or. The previous 10 were won by 10 different players. So, and while Kylian Mbappe is the likeliest candidate, there will probably be more contenders and fewer certainties in the conversation. Instead, what we may see are more repeats of 2018, when Luka Modric won, and a player who has had an excellent World Cup, European Championships or Champions League but is not necessarily, definitively the best secures the individual honours. (Richard Jolly, football correspondent) AP Photo
  • Sadio Mane: Lionel Messi said last week it was a "shame" Mane did not finish higher than fourth in the 2019 Ballon d'Or rankings - who am I to argue with the greatest footballer of all time? Still only 27 years old, Mane has established himself as Liverpool's best attacking player and one of the finest footballers on the planet. The remainder of his career looks set to go one of two ways: he stays at Liverpool and wins a truckload of trophies or he moves to another European heavyweight and wins a truckload of trophies. Either way, Mane's star will continue to rise. (Jon Turner, assistant sports editor) AP Photo
    Sadio Mane: Lionel Messi said last week it was a "shame" Mane did not finish higher than fourth in the 2019 Ballon d'Or rankings - who am I to argue with the greatest footballer of all time? Still only 27 years old, Mane has established himself as Liverpool's best attacking player and one of the finest footballers on the planet. The remainder of his career looks set to go one of two ways: he stays at Liverpool and wins a truckload of trophies or he moves to another European heavyweight and wins a truckload of trophies. Either way, Mane's star will continue to rise. (Jon Turner, assistant sports editor) AP Photo
  • Raheem Sterling: Still only 25, he is about to hit the most productive years of his career, which is saying something for a forward whose goal-scoring record has dramatically improved under Pep Guardiola’s management. The Manchester City forward scored 25 goals in last season’s treble-winning side and has 15 already this year for club and another eight more for England in the calendar year. Quite simply, Sterling is the new gold standard in elite football circles. (Nick March, assistant editor in chief) AP Photo
    Raheem Sterling: Still only 25, he is about to hit the most productive years of his career, which is saying something for a forward whose goal-scoring record has dramatically improved under Pep Guardiola’s management. The Manchester City forward scored 25 goals in last season’s treble-winning side and has 15 already this year for club and another eight more for England in the calendar year. Quite simply, Sterling is the new gold standard in elite football circles. (Nick March, assistant editor in chief) AP Photo
  • Marcus Rashford: Where would Manchester United be without him this season? The 22-year-old has 13 goals in his past 14 games and is finally looking like a top-drawer striker on a consistent basis. He has the most important attributes for a world beater - pace, skill and a variety of shot including the swerving knuckle-ball which makes him a danger at set pieces. Even if United struggle, he should get the chance to shine further on the international stage with England. (Ian Oxborrow, digital editor). Getty Images
    Marcus Rashford: Where would Manchester United be without him this season? The 22-year-old has 13 goals in his past 14 games and is finally looking like a top-drawer striker on a consistent basis. He has the most important attributes for a world beater - pace, skill and a variety of shot including the swerving knuckle-ball which makes him a danger at set pieces. Even if United struggle, he should get the chance to shine further on the international stage with England. (Ian Oxborrow, digital editor). Getty Images
  • Gabriel Martinelli: At the very young age of 18, the Brazilian has impressed since coming into a tepid Arsenal side. He had cameos in the League Cup and the Europa league where he scored 7 goals in 6 games for Arsenal. It is extremely early to say that Martinelli will be a complete player and a goal scoring superstar, but he’s made quite the start, and if Arsenal are smart enough (they’re not) they’ll do well to nurture him and integrate him into the starting eleven gradually. (Faisal Salah, social media editor). Getty Images
    Gabriel Martinelli: At the very young age of 18, the Brazilian has impressed since coming into a tepid Arsenal side. He had cameos in the League Cup and the Europa league where he scored 7 goals in 6 games for Arsenal. It is extremely early to say that Martinelli will be a complete player and a goal scoring superstar, but he’s made quite the start, and if Arsenal are smart enough (they’re not) they’ll do well to nurture him and integrate him into the starting eleven gradually. (Faisal Salah, social media editor). Getty Images
  • Paul Pogba The Manchester United midfielder may be under appreciated in the Premier League at the moment but once he moves away from England - probably to Spain with Real Madrid - he will rediscover the sparkle that helped France win the World Cup as well as finding his best position is further up the pitch from where he can wreak havoc on opposition defences. (Mustafa Alrawi, assistant editor in chief). AFP
    Paul Pogba The Manchester United midfielder may be under appreciated in the Premier League at the moment but once he moves away from England - probably to Spain with Real Madrid - he will rediscover the sparkle that helped France win the World Cup as well as finding his best position is further up the pitch from where he can wreak havoc on opposition defences. (Mustafa Alrawi, assistant editor in chief). AFP

Football

Who will replace Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as football's next superstar?

The National staff have their say on who will rise to the top as the Barcelona and Juventus pair eventually fade out. Take a look in the slideshow below

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

December 09, 2019

  • English
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Eight goals in his past five matches, 14 in his past 11 - Lionel Messi shows no sign of his extreme powers coming to an end.

With another Ballon d'Or trophy recently tucked away in a cabinet brimming with awards, there is no doubt that the Barcelona forward is the best footballer on the planet.

His decorated rival Cristiano Ronaldo is still on the goal trail too, with 19 in 23 matches this season, although 10 of those have come for Portugal against some of Europe's international minnows.

Time will catch up with them both, probably in the next couple of years, but not just yet.

When their star does fade, who will replace them as the leading light?

There's a raft of what you might call second tier player waiting in the wings, but will any of them make the step up, or will the throne be passed to a youngster only just finding his way at present?

The National's stable of football writers and followers have their say on who they think will be the next big thing once Messi and Ronaldo are gone.

While some have gone for the line of thought whereby Messi and Ronaldo will be stepping aside soon and have therefore selected more experienced players, others have looked further into the future.

You can also have your say in the poll below:

The specs

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Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks

Following fashion

Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.

Losing your balance

You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.

Being over active

If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.

Running your losers

Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.

Selling in a panic

If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.

Timing the market

Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

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
Spain drain

CONVICTED

Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.

Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.

Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.

 

SUSPECTED

Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.

Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.

Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.

Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.

Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.

FootballSport