The quake occurred at 8.29pm UAE time
asia12 hours ago
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu indicated the Spanish champions are prepared to make Lionel Messi the world's highest-paid player to keep the Argentine superstar at the club.
"Leo Messi is the best (player) in the history of football and we want him to stay with us," Bartomeu said on Tuesday. "There will be negotiations...but even if I don't want to talk about figures, if he's the best player in the world it makes sense that he is so from all points of view." After extending the contracts of Neymar and Luis Suarez until 2021, Barca are desperate to keep hold of the five-time World Player of the Year, whose deal expires in 2018.
"He's at home here...I believe Leo is fully convinced he's in the best place he can be," said Bartomeu.
It's been a tumultuous year for Messi off the pitch though, with him and his father sentenced to 21 months in jail for tax fraud. The pair have appealed the ruling, although the prison sentences are likely to be suspended as is common in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying a sentence of less than two years. "I don't believe these tax affairs will have an influence...because Leo knows, I know and we all know he hasn't done anything wrong," added Bartomeu.
The Barca president also expressed his desire to see the 29-year-old finish his career at the Camp Nou.
"It would be a story to tell future generations," said Bartomeu. "We had the best player in the world and he played here all his life."
He confirmed Barca were keen as well to extend the contracts of captain Andres Iniesta, Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in addition to coach Luis Enrique.
"Towards April we'll speak about the coach. For now we're focused on the competition...but we would like him to stay," Bartomeu said of Enrique, who is out of contract at the end of June.
The quake occurred at 8.29pm UAE time
asia12 hours ago
The Capitals posted their highest total in the tournament to set up a ten-run win over their gritty rivals
sports13 hours ago
Shortly after receiving the call, the employee informed her superiors
asia13 hours ago
Cross-border shelling has killed at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists
world13 hours ago
The hosts dominate with a total of 194 medals including 65 golds with Saudi in second place and Kuwait in third
sports13 hours ago
Residents with any information have been urged to contact the concerned authority
emergencies14 hours ago
Northeastern University in Boston says the action was taken after some protesters resorted to virulent anti-Semitic slurs
world14 hours ago
The church has been built on 4.37 acres of land, and stands opposite the BAPS Hindu temple
uae14 hours ago