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Saturday, February 21, 2026 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Tag Results for "Monaco" (5 articles)

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender #05 Marquinhos (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #10 Ousmane Dembele (C) take part in a training session on the eve of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League KO play-offs first leg football match against AS Monaco, in Monaco on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
Sport

Enrique dismisses 'noise' around PSG before Monaco Champions League clash

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique dismissed any suggestions of dressing room disharmony as the reigning European champions prepared to put their continental title on the line this midweek against domestic rivals Monaco.PSG are struggling to rediscover the brilliant form they showed in the second half of last season, when they played breath-taking football on the way to winning the Champions League for the first time in their history.The club from the French capital were knocked off the top of the Ligue 1 table at the weekend after a 3-1 defeat away to Rennes allowed Lens to climb above them. That came after a start to 2026 which had already seen them go out of the French Cup to local rivals Paris FC and finish 11th in the league phase of the Champions League. Theirfailure to win any of their last three European games left them facing this play-off for a place in the last 16.After the defeat in Rennes, last year's Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele had a go at his colleagues as he suggested too many had stopped playing for the collective. "We need to play for Paris Saint-Germain if we are going to win matches, because if we all just play for ourselves it won't work and we won't win the trophies we want to win," Dembele said in a post-match TV interview. "Last season we put the club first before thinking about ourselves, so I think we need to start thinking like that again."Enrique was asked about those comments after arriving in Monaco Monday, on the eve of the Champions League play-off first leg against the principality side. "There is always noise around PSG and we just have to accept it," said the Spaniard, who said the defeat in Rennes was "cruel" on his side. "It is true that we would have liked to come into this game with a victory but now it is time for the Champions League and we are all motivated."PSG are strong favourites to beat a Monaco side who sit eighth in Ligue 1, 20 points behind their opponents. However, Monaco have found some form again recently after a poor run, and they beat PSG 1-0 when the teams last clashed, at the Stade Louis II in late November."We ‌can expect a match ⁠similar to the one we played, we’re not going ⁠to change anything because ⁠we're going to try to win this match,” Enrique added.He also dismissed concerns about facing a domestic rival in the Champions League. "It's football, it's the same thing, you have to try to do the same thing to ​win the match. What I hope is to see the best version of PSG."We started the Champions League last season with the same lack of efficiency, but when you look at the results we later had, it meant we were superior to our opponents, and that's what we're aiming for again. I'm sure we can ‌get back ​to that very quickly,” he added.Monaco coach Sebastien Pocognoli, who has a doubt over the fitness of French international midfielder Maghnes Akliouche insisted: "We need to believe we can get a result, otherwise there is no point playing the game."Monaco skipper Denis Zakaria: "If we are not at 100 percent and don't play the perfect game, it will be difficult for us." 


PSG’s Bradley Barcola (right) celebrates with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after scoring a goal during the Ligue 1 match against Le Havre in Paris. (AFP)
Sport

Pogba returns in Monaco loss as PSG stay top in France

Paul Pogba made his long-awaited return to competitive football in Monaco’s 4-1 loss at Rennes on Saturday, while Paris Saint-Germain kept hold of top spot in Ligue 1 with a win over Le Havre. Pogba, 32, came on as a late substitute for Monaco in his first appearance in over two years after his career was derailed by injuries, a doping suspension and an extortion case in which he was the victim.“Football isn’t over for me.We’ve worked hard, we’ve waited more than two years to get back, and today it finally happened. Thank God,” said Pogba.The 2018 World Cup winner received a warm ovation from supporters at Roazhon Park when he came on in the 85th minute and again after the final whistle.“It really touched me to see the crowd stand and applaud.I honestly didn’t expect that, so a huge thank you to all the fans who were there today and supported me,” said Pogba.The former Manchester United midfielder failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and was handed a four-year ban, which was subsequently reduced to 18 months.Nonetheless, the Italian giants terminated his contract last November, bringing to an early end an unhappy second stint in Turin blighted by injuries and other problems.In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros ($15.3 million) from Pogba in 2022.But the chance to salvage his career came in the form of Monaco, who decided to take a gamble on him once he became available again following the conclusion of his suspension in March.Monaco have been cautious in their approach to preparing Pogba for a return to competitive action, but coach Sebastien Pocognoli chose to bring on the midfielder with his team trailing by four goals and down to 10 men.Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal and Mahdi Camara struck for Rennes before Denis Zakaria was sent off. Breel Embolo added to the lead and Ludovic Blas scored a penalty, with Monaco pulling one back through Mika Biereth after the introduction of Pogba.“It’s great... the return of Paul Pogba, but I play for Monaco – that’s my team, and I hate losing,” said Pogba.“I’m relieved to be back playing football, the thing I love most in the world.“But there’s still work to do to get back to full fitness, play 90 minutes, and help the team as much as possible,” he added.PSG eased to a 3-0 victory at home to Le Havre courtesy of goals from Lee Kang-in, Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola.Luis Enrique’s side reclaimed first place and their two-point cushion after temporarily dropping behind Marseille and Lens, who edged Strasbourg 1-0 earlier on Saturday.Ismaelo Ganiou grabbed the Lens winner midway through the second half before Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco was sent off.Lens also finished with 10 men as Morgan Guilavogui saw red in stoppage time.Marseille thrashed Nice 5-1 on Friday as Mason Greenwood scored twice to become the league’s top scorer with 10 goals.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Old Doha Port concludes milestone participation and exclusive sponsorship at Monaco Yacht Show 2025 with two-year extension 

Old Doha Port has successfully concluded a milestone participation at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, achieving its goal of strengthening Qatar’s presence at global exhibitions, fostering dialogue with international maritime industry experts, and promoting both the Qatar Boat Show 2025 and Old Doha Port as a premier maritime destination in the region. Held from 24–27 September at Port Hercule, it sponsored the prestigious Upper Deck Lounge for the first time and joined global leaders at the Summit program in the closing panel on creating sustainable superyacht destinations. Old Doha Port’s sponsorship of the Upper Deck Lounge placed its brand at the heart of the Monaco Yacht Show’s most exclusive setting. Old Doha Port’s pavilion attracted significant attention with its strategic location in the Upper Deck Lounge and welcomed His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco during his tour of the exhibition. He was received by Eng. Mohammed Abdullah Al Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port, who presented a brief overview of the port’s developmental stages and the objectives of its participation in the Monaco Yacht Show. Recognized as a meeting point for yacht owners, VIPs, and premium lifestyle brands, the lounge offered the Port an opportunity to connect with influential audiences and showcase Qatar’s role in the luxury maritime space. Alongside its sponsorship, Old Doha Port joined the Monaco Yacht Show Summit program in the closing panel on sustainable superyachting. The discussion gathered senior representatives from leading destinations to exchange ideas on how the industry can grow while protecting marine ecosystems, where Old Doha Port shared its approach of combining eco-conscious infrastructure with community-driven initiatives. “Our participation in Monaco reflects Qatar’s vision for a sustainable and diversified future,” said Engineer Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port. “We are demonstrating how world-class facilities, cultural heritage, and environmental responsibility can come together to create lasting value for the global yachting industry.” With this year’s successful presence in Monaco, Old Doha Port continues to elevate Qatar’s profile on the international maritime calendar and reaffirm its commitment to building a destination defined by both sustainability and global connectivity. Old Doha Port - Anchored in Tradition, Sailing into the Future  Once a historic commercial harbor, Old Doha Port is a bustling lifestyle destination that blends Doha’s rich seafaring legacy with innovative marine services, sustainable practices, and cultural depth. Serving as the world’s maritime gateway to Qatar, the centrally located port features a world-class 450-berth marina, a 24/7 operating cruise terminal, the nation’s largest slipway, over 250,000 square meters of greenery, and vibrant cultural spaces like the Mina District and Containers Yard.  With offerings ranging from watersports and cultural experiences to art installations and major events like the annual Qatar Boat Show and fishing competitions, Old Doha Port celebrates Qatar’s legacy while pioneering its maritime future and enhancing its global tourism profile.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Old Doha Port strengthens global presence at Monaco Yacht Show Summit 2025

Old Doha Port strengthened its international presence as chief executive Mohammed Abdulla al-Mulla joined the closing roundtable of the Monaco Yacht Show Summit 2025 on Friday.The session, titled “How to Create a Sustainable Superyacht Destination?”, convened senior figures from leading yachting hubs to explore how destinations can future-proof their appeal while safeguarding marine ecosystems.Set against the backdrop of the world’s foremost gathering for the superyachting and luxury maritime industries, this year’s summit ran alongside the Monaco Yacht Show at Port Hercule on September 24-27.The programme placed innovation, design, and sustainability at the centre, spotlighting impactful eco-responsible solutions across the sector.As part of its broader presence in the flagship maritime event, Old Doha Port also sponsored the Upper Deck Lounge for the first time, and will continue sponsoring the show for the next two years, underscoring Qatar’s growing role in shaping the future of global yachting.“Taking part in the Monaco Yacht Show Summit affirms Old Doha Port’s role among the world’s leading yachting destinations and allows us to share Qatar’s vision for sustainable growth,” said al-Mulla.“In line with Qatar National Vision 2030, we are building a luxury maritime tourism sector that blends heritage, innovation, and environmental responsibility, supports SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), maritime, and cultural industries, and ensures Qatar has a voice in global conversations shaping the future of superyachting,” he added.

Gulf Times
Sport

Champions League draw set for Thursday

The draw for the unified group stage of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League will take place on Thursday, in Monaco, France.The same procedures as last season will be adopted, featuring a league phase comprising 36 teams in a single group.Twenty-seven teams have already secured their qualification for the competition based on their league standings, along with the winners of last season's Champions League and Europa League, and seven teams that advanced from the qualifiers.The teams have been divided into four pots based on their UEFA coefficients, starting with Pot 1.Each team will be drawn individually, and then eight opponents will be selected for them via UEFA's automated system.Pot 1 includes reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (France), Real Madrid (Spain), Manchester City (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), Liverpool (England), Inter Milan (Italy), Chelsea (England), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), and Barcelona (Spain).Pot 2 features Arsenal (England), Bayer Leverkusen (Germany), Atletico Madrid (Spain), Atalanta (Italy), Villarreal (Spain), Juventus (Italy), Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany), and Club Brugge (Belgium).Pot 3 comprises Tottenham (England, Europa League winner), Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands), Napoli (Italy), Sporting CP (Portugal), Olympiacos (Greece), PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Slavia Prague (Czech Republic), Bodo/Glimt (Norway), and Marseille (France).Pot 4 includes Monaco (France), Pafos FC (Cyprus), Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan), Galatasaray (Turkey), Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), Athletic Bilbao (Spain), and Newcastle (England).The remaining four teams for the league phase will be determined later today through the second leg matches of the qualifying round.