MADRID — The two-decade rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the defining sporting duel of a generation, appears to be approaching its conclusion, as both players have separately signaled in recent days that retirement may be close at hand, driven by starkly different personal circumstances.

Ronaldo, in an interview with Vogue published Sunday, said the current season could mark the end of his playing career. “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” the 41-year-old Al Nassr forward and Portugal captain said. The remarks came just days after Ronaldo formally married his longtime partner, Georgina Rodriguez, following a relationship of roughly a decade, a milestone that has fueled speculation that the Portuguese star is preparing to shift his focus toward a more settled family life once his playing days conclude.

Ronaldo elaborated on his plans for life after football, describing a desire to fill the void the sport’s absence would leave in his daily routine. “Since the void left by soccer could be very large, I need to fill my time in various ways,” he said, adding that he expected to remain busy well beyond his final match. He pointed specifically to leisure pursuits and family time as priorities for the next phase of his life. “I want to enjoy more, travel frequently, play and watch padel, which I truly love,” Ronaldo said, referencing the racket sport that has grown increasingly popular among athletes and celebrities in recent years. He also reflected on the sacrifices of his playing career, saying he hoped to make up for lost time with those closest to him. “As the past 25 years involved many sacrifices, I want to fully enjoy what my family and I have achieved during that time,” he said.

Despite the retirement signal, Ronaldo’s actual departure from the sport may hinge on a specific personal milestone he has pursued for years: reaching 1,000 career goals. Since turning professional in 2002, Ronaldo has scored 976 goals for club and country combined, leaving him 24 short of the landmark figure. Given his well-documented determination to reach that number before stepping away, multiple outlets covering the story have suggested his actual retirement is likely to be timed around the achievement of that milestone, rather than the end of the current season strictly by the calendar. Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr runs through June 2027, giving him a window beyond this season in which to continue pursuing the record if needed.

Messi’s retirement signal emerged from a far more painful set of circumstances. The Inter Miami forward’s father, Jorge Messi, who had also served as his longtime agent and one of the most influential figures throughout his career, died on Aug. 7 at age 68 after a long illness. Messi shared a lengthy, emotional tribute to his father on Instagram in the days that followed, offering an unusually candid look at his grief and expressing serious doubt about his footballing future.

“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone. It hasn’t sunk in, or rather, I don’t want it to sink in,” Messi wrote in the letter, which also detailed the difficult circumstances surrounding his father’s declining health during this year’s World Cup, held across North America. Messi described how his father had continued urging him to compete in the tournament even as his condition worsened, and how the family had held out hope that Jorge might still be well enough to travel and watch him play. Argentina ultimately reached the tournament’s final in New York before losing 1-0 to Spain, a run Messi had hoped would allow him to bring his father one more moment of triumph. “I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn’t, my legs couldn’t take it anymore,” Messi wrote, reflecting on the physical toll the tournament had taken on him during an emotionally taxing period.

The most striking portion of Messi’s letter addressed his uncertainty about continuing to play the sport that has defined his life. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I have just been playing soccer, and now I’m not sure if I can continue this much longer,” he wrote, a passage that immediately raised widespread speculation across the football world about whether the 38-year-old eight-time Ballon d’Or winner might be nearing the end of his professional career.

Jorge Messi had guided his son’s career from Lionel’s earliest days playing in Rosario, Argentina, through his rise at Barcelona and subsequent moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, serving as both father and agent throughout nearly the entirety of Messi’s professional journey. His death drew an outpouring of tribute and condolence from across the sport, including from longtime rival Ronaldo, along with players such as Neymar, Luka Modrić and Carlos Alcaraz, illustrating the degree of respect the elder Messi commanded throughout the football world well beyond his son’s own accomplishments.

Since his father’s death, Messi has continued to lean on his immediate family for support during what he has described as an exceptionally difficult period, including his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and his three children. He has also continued to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, though his form has appeared to reflect the emotional toll of recent weeks; in an MLS match against Nashville SC on Aug. 15, Messi missed a penalty kick and appeared visibly distressed on the field afterward.

Whether either player follows through on retirement in the near term remains to be seen, and neither has provided a definitive final date for stepping away from professional football. Ronaldo’s path appears tied to a specific numerical milestone he has pursued for years, while Messi’s future remains far more uncertain, shaped by grief rather than by any predetermined athletic target. Together, the two developments have prompted extensive reflection across the football world about the eventual close of a rivalry that has shaped the sport’s global narrative for more than 15 years, spanning multiple World Cups, numerous Ballon d’Or contests and some of the most closely followed individual comparisons in the history of professional sports.

Sainsbury’s highlighted recent British Retail Consortium figures showing 1,600 daily incidents of violence and abuse against shopworkers nationwide, up significantly from 455 a day in 2019-20.

The retailer added that initial trials of the facial recognition system across two stores resulted in a 46% reduction in logged incidents of theft and anti-social behaviour, with over 90% of offenders not returning.

Silkie Carlo, the director of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, has called for Sainsbury’s to scrap the technology, arguing that it is “treating customers like criminals”.

“Serious mistakes like this are inevitable when a national retailer does hundreds of thousands of ID checks indiscriminately with this sinister surveillance tech,” she said.

Arnold, who donated a £150 goodwill voucher from Sainsbury’s to a local food bank, questioned why the system remains active elsewhere.

“If they’re suspending it in this East Dulwich store, they are conceding there’s a problem with it. Why aren’t they suspending it in every store?”

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SEOUL — Google shut down 449 Korean-language YouTube channels during the second quarter of this year after determining they had engaged in coordinated efforts to manipulate public opinion around domestic political issues, with the vast majority of the closures occurring in the weeks immediately preceding South Korea’s June 3 local elections.

According to Yonhap News Agency and South Korea’s information and communication technology industry, Google’s Threat Analysis Group released its “Q2 2026 Influence Operations Report” on July 31, detailing the scale and timing of the takedowns. The report found that Google blocked a total of 449 Korean-language channels between April and June, with 22 channels removed in April, 367 in May and 60 in June.

The concentration of closures in May was especially notable, accounting for 81.7% of the total channels removed during the entire quarter, timing that placed the bulk of the enforcement action just weeks ahead of South Korea’s nationwide local elections. Among the channels taken down in May, the largest single category consisted of 142 channels that had posted content critical of the South Korean government, according to the report.

A more detailed breakdown of the May closures showed a range of political leanings represented among the removed channels. Beyond the 142 channels critical of the government, 71 channels were found to have supported the government, 58 channels supported specific politicians, 53 channels simultaneously criticized both the government and specific political parties, and 43 channels combined support for the government with criticism of specific parties, according to reporting based on the Google report’s findings.

Google determined that the channels had engaged in what the company described as “unauthentic coordinated behavior,” a term the company uses to characterize campaigns in which multiple accounts are mobilized to create the appearance of independent, organic activity by individual users, while in fact working in concert to improperly influence the formation of specific political narratives. When accounting for the full quarter using a broader classification method that grouped channels by their overall stance toward the South Korean government, 255 of the removed channels were found to contain content critical of the government, while 151 channels contained content supportive of the government, according to Korean-language reporting on the underlying data.

Unlike its influence-operations reporting on campaigns linked to China, Russia and Iran, Google did not disclose the specific countries or organizations believed to be behind the Korean-language takedowns, nor did the company release the names of the individual channels that were removed, according to the Asia Business Daily’s reporting on the disclosure. That lack of attribution leaves open questions about who was responsible for organizing the coordinated activity, even as the scale and timing of the removals point clearly toward an effort to influence domestic political discourse ahead of a major election.

The scale of the Korean-language enforcement action stands out in part because of its novelty within Google’s broader influence-operations reporting. According to the Free Press Journal’s coverage of the disclosure, Google had not previously terminated any South Korean YouTube channels for this type of coordinated influence activity between the second quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, marking the second quarter of this year as the first period in which Korean-language content became a significant target of this specific enforcement category. By comparison, over that same earlier stretch, Google reported shutting down 9,173 channels linked to influence operations originating from China and 2,083 channels linked to Russia, underscoring how much larger those two countries’ documented influence campaigns have been relative to the newly identified Korean-language activity.

The disclosure comes amid a broader period of scrutiny facing major U.S. technology companies operating in South Korea. Just last week, the country’s media watchdog, the Korea Media Communications Commission, concluded that both Google and Apple had violated South Korean law by abusing their dominant positions within their respective app marketplaces. According to the commission, the two companies were found to have circumvented a 2021 revision to the country’s telecommunications business act, a law designed to prevent large app marketplace operators from requiring developers to exclusively use the platform’s own in-app payment systems. The commission said the specific level of sanctions against the companies would be determined at a later date, following the initial finding of violations.

Google’s influence-operations reports, published on a regular basis by the company’s Threat Analysis Group, have historically served as one of the primary public sources of information regarding coordinated, inauthentic political activity detected across Google’s platforms, including YouTube. The reports typically categorize removed content by country of origin and by the nature of the coordinated activity involved, though the company’s disclosure practices vary depending on how confident its investigators are in attributing specific campaigns to particular actors or organizations.

The timing of the Korean-language closures relative to the June 3 local elections is likely to draw continued attention from South Korean election officials, political parties and civil society organizations concerned about the integrity of online political discourse ahead of future elections. South Korea has in recent years faced growing scrutiny over the role of online platforms in shaping political narratives, particularly as political polarization within the country has intensified and as domestic political actors have increasingly turned to platforms such as YouTube to reach voters directly, outside the framework of traditional broadcast and print media.

Google has not publicly indicated whether it plans to release additional details regarding the specific actors behind the Korean-language influence campaign identified in its second-quarter report, nor has the company said whether similar coordinated activity has continued or evolved following the removal of the 449 channels in question. The company’s quarterly influence-operations reports are expected to continue tracking developments in this area, offering periodic updates on the scale and nature of coordinated inauthentic activity detected across its platforms in South Korea and other countries around the world.

This article was written by

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Shares of state-owned NMDC shed 4% to their day’s low of Rs 81.20 on the BSE on Monday even as the company reported a 2% year-on-year (YoY) rise in profit after tax to Rs 2,007 crore for the first quarter of FY27, compared with Rs 1,969 crore in the year-ago period. Revenue from operations increased 2% to Rs 6,795 crore from Rs 6,634 crore in Q1FY26.

Iron ore production rose 26% YoY to 151.17 lakh tonnes in Q1FY27 from 119.94 lakh tonnes a year earlier. Iron ore sales, however, increased 2% to 117.30 lakh tonnes from 115.17 lakh tonnes. Ore transferred for pellet job work rose 46% to 8.19 lakh tonnes from 5.60 lakh tonnes.

Also read: Picture perfect quarter? Nifty profit growth hits a 10-quarter high, but 5 stocks do the heavy lifting

EBITDA and margin stood at Rs 2,817 crore and 41%, respectively, compared with Rs 2,777 crore and 42% in Q1FY26. Profit before tax increased 2% to Rs 2,692 crore from Rs 2,644 crore.

Average domestic realisation increased 4% to Rs 5,548 per tonne from Rs 5,353 per tonne in Q1FY26. Iron ore sales revenue stood at Rs 6,508 crore, up 6% from Rs 6,165 crore a year earlier. Revenue from other sales declined 39% to Rs 287 crore from Rs 469 crore.

Buy, sell, hold NMDC shares?

Motilal Oswal maintained its Buy rating on NMDC with a target price of Rs 98, implying 16% upside. The brokerage said NMDC reported healthy earnings in the quarter, supported by healthy average selling prices that offset muted quarter-on-quarter volumes. It expects production volumes to rise to around 60 million tonnes in FY27, driven by an increase in the environmental clearance limit and a new mine under the joint venture.
Motilal Oswal has largely retained its FY27 and FY28 estimates and expects volumes and prices to remain elevated, in line with strong demand from steelmakers.JM Financial has maintained a Reduce rating on NMDC with a target price of Rs 87, implying around 3% upside. On operations, NMDC is targeting 60 million tonnes of production in FY27 and 100 million tonnes by 2030, with incremental volumes expected from Deposit 14, NMZ, Kumaraswamy and other mines. JM Financial said volume growth and capex execution remain key factors to monitor.

NMDC Q1 highlights

Total income rose 3% to Rs 7,142 crore from Rs 6,932 crore. Interest income from deposits with banks increased 16% to Rs 212 crore from Rs 183 crore, while other income rose 17% to Rs 135 crore from Rs 115 crore.

Read more: Nifty outlook: Further dips possible before a move towards 25,100, says Anand James

Total expenses increased 4% to Rs 4,450 crore from Rs 4,288 crore. Royalty and other levies rose 31% to Rs 1,644 crore from Rs 1,255 crore, while the additional amount representing 150% of royalty increased 30% to Rs 1,851 crore from Rs 1,425 crore. Pellets job-work expenses rose 23% to Rs 248 crore from Rs 202 crore, while operating expenses increased 34% to Rs 1,801 crore from Rs 1,349 crore.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Shares of flexible packaging solutions provider Uflex rallied 16% to Rs 568.35 on the BSE on Monday, after the company reported a 629.6% year-on-year (YoY) surge in its Q1 net profit for FY27 to Rs Rs 423.3 crore, as compared to Rs 58 crore in the same quarter last year.

The company’s revenue from operations rose 37.6% YoY to Rs 5,366 crore in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, as compared to Rs 3,900.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, according to a regulatory filing on the BSE.

EBITDA jumped 92.1% YoY to Rs 919.8 crore in this quarter, from Rs 478.8 crore in Q1 FY26. The EBITDA margin stood at 17%, which is the highest EBITDA level for the company in the last 21 quarters, as per the filing.

UFlex’s domestic Packaging Film sales volume increased by 9.1% sequentially in its India operations, as customers gradually resumed purchases after the price hikes in Q4 FY26. The price hike was driven by the pass-through agreement that allows higher raw material prices linked to higher price realisation, according to the company’s statement.

The war crisis will continue to result in controlled supply of raw materials for manufacturing Packaging Films across Asia, as per the statement, which will help in lowering imports of Packaging Films and higher price realisation in India, especially for BOPET in FY27.

UFlex’s presence of plants in three key markets i.e. Egypt, Dubai and Nigeria, and captive production of PET Chips helped in capturing the benefits of strong local and regional demand especially in Egypt, while Nigeria benefitted from additional traction in export markets. There was a surge in demand for both BOPET and BOPP Films across the MEA region as reflected in the sales volume growth of 14.9% YoY in Q1 FY27.
As per the company’s statement, the local packaging converters prioritize sourcing from local/regional Packaging Film makers to overcome the uncertainties of supply-chain disruptions, higher sea-freight costs, and inaccessibility to key ports due to the West-Asia crisis.

What management said

Chairman and MD Ashok Chaturvedi said, “We have started FY27 with robust financial and operational performance. Our diversified portfolio, integrated capabilities and strong presence across key global markets continue to strengthen our competitiveness.” He further stated that the company witnessed strong performance in its core packaging business, supported by improved volumes, higher capacity utilization and enhanced operating efficiencies across key markets.

“Growth was driven by operating leverage, stronger realizations, improved product mix and forex gains, reflecting the benefits of our integrated global footprint.” said CFO Arun Kumar Sharma. “We enter FY27 with multiple growth levers gaining traction. The recently commissioned 39,600 MTPA recycling facility in Noida Sector 155 and the 80-million-unit WPP bags facility in Mexico will progressively contribute to revenue and EBITDA as they ramp up.” the President for Finance & Accounts stated.

“Higher utilization led by localized sourcing to de-risk the unscheduled supply chain disruption and a shift towards value-added packaging films will remain the company’s key growth themes, supporting sustained profitable growth,” he said, adding that while Q2 is expected to see some normalization from the exceptionally strong realisation in Q1, the company’s underlying growth trajectory remains intact, positioning it for robust FY27 growth and continued improvement in earnings quality.

Starting a business is an exciting journey, but growing it into a profitable and sustainable company is a completely different challenge. Many entrepreneurs launch their businesses with passion, determination, and big dreams. However, after months or even years of operation, they find themselves stuck at the same level of sales, struggling to attract customers, and wondering why growth seems impossible.

The truth is that business growth rarely happens by accident. Successful companies grow because they avoid common mistakes and consistently improve their operations, marketing, finances, and customer service. If your small business feels stagnant, understanding the reasons behind slow growth is the first step toward improvement.

In this article, we’ll explore the ten most common reasons small businesses fail to grow and what entrepreneurs can do to overcome them.

1. Lack of Clear Business Goals

Many small business owners start with a general desire to make money but fail to establish specific goals. Without clear objectives, it becomes difficult to measure progress, prioritize tasks, or create effective strategies.

A business that lacks direction often reacts to problems rather than proactively pursuing growth opportunities. Owners may spend their time handling daily operations while neglecting long-term planning.

Successful businesses set measurable goals such as increasing revenue by a certain percentage, acquiring a specific number of customers, or expanding into new markets. Clear goals provide focus and help guide decision-making.

Solution: Create short-term and long-term business goals. Review them regularly and adjust your strategies based on results.

2. Poor Financial Management

Cash flow problems are among the leading causes of business failure. Many entrepreneurs focus heavily on sales while paying little attention to budgeting, expenses, and financial planning.

A business can generate significant revenue and still struggle if expenses are not controlled. Overspending on unnecessary equipment, inventory, or marketing campaigns can quickly drain resources.

Without proper financial management, owners may not recognize problems until they become serious.

Solution: Monitor cash flow closely, maintain accurate financial records, and create a realistic budget. Consider working with an accountant or financial advisor when necessary.

3. Weak Marketing Strategy

No matter how good a product or service may be, customers cannot buy it if they do not know it exists. Many small businesses rely solely on word-of-mouth referrals and fail to invest in marketing.

Today’s competitive marketplace requires businesses to establish a strong online presence. Potential customers often search online before making purchasing decisions.

Businesses that ignore digital marketing opportunities often lose customers to competitors who actively promote themselves.

Solution: Develop a marketing plan that includes search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email campaigns, and content marketing to attract and retain customers.

4. Failure to Understand the Target Market

Some businesses attempt to sell their products or services to everyone. While this may seem like a good idea, it often leads to ineffective marketing and poor customer engagement.

Successful businesses understand exactly who their ideal customers are. They know their customers’ needs, problems, preferences, and purchasing behavior.

Without this knowledge, marketing messages become too broad and fail to connect with potential buyers.

Solution: Conduct market research and create detailed customer profiles. Focus on solving specific problems for a clearly defined audience.

Customer satisfaction plays a major role in business growth. A single negative experience can discourage customers from returning and may even lead to negative online reviews.

Businesses that fail to provide consistent customer service often struggle to build loyalty and repeat sales.

On the other hand, companies that prioritize customer experience frequently enjoy higher retention rates and increased referrals.

Solution: Train employees to deliver excellent service, respond quickly to customer concerns, and actively seek feedback for continuous improvement.

6. Resistance to Change

Markets, technologies, and consumer preferences constantly evolve. Businesses that refuse to adapt often become outdated and lose relevance.

Many entrepreneurs become comfortable with existing processes and resist adopting new technologies or strategies. Unfortunately, competitors who embrace innovation usually gain a significant advantage.

The business landscape today changes faster than ever. Adaptability is essential for survival and growth.

Solution: Stay informed about industry trends, invest in modern tools, and remain open to new ideas and business opportunities.

7. Trying to Do Everything Alone

Many small business owners attempt to manage every aspect of their company themselves. While this may work initially, it eventually becomes a major obstacle to growth.

Handling sales, marketing, customer service, accounting, inventory management, and operations simultaneously can lead to burnout and reduced productivity.

Growth often requires delegation. Successful entrepreneurs understand the value of building a capable team.

Solution: Delegate tasks, hire qualified employees, or outsource specialized work such as accounting, digital marketing, and administrative support.

8. Lack of Online Presence

In today’s digital economy, businesses without an online presence are at a serious disadvantage. Consumers frequently search online for products, services, reviews, and recommendations before making purchases.

A business without a professional website or active social media profiles may appear less credible than competitors who maintain a strong online presence.

Additionally, businesses that ignore online opportunities miss valuable channels for customer acquisition and engagement.

Solution: Create a professional website, optimize it for search engines, and maintain active social media accounts to connect with potential customers.

9. Poor Leadership and Decision-Making

Leadership significantly impacts business performance. Poor decisions regarding hiring, investments, partnerships, or expansion can limit growth and create unnecessary challenges.

Strong leaders establish clear visions, motivate employees, and make informed decisions based on data rather than emotions.

Entrepreneurs who fail to develop leadership skills often struggle to guide their businesses through periods of growth and change.

Solution: Invest in leadership development, seek mentorship, and make decisions based on careful analysis and reliable information.

10. Fear of Taking Calculated Risks

Growth often requires stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. Many business owners hesitate to invest in marketing, hire additional staff, launch new products, or expand into new markets because they fear failure.

While caution is important, excessive fear can prevent businesses from seizing valuable opportunities.

The most successful entrepreneurs understand that growth involves calculated risks. They evaluate potential rewards and challenges before making strategic decisions.

Solution: Assess opportunities carefully, gather relevant data, and take informed risks that align with your long-term business objectives.

How Small Businesses Can Accelerate Growth

Understanding the reasons behind slow growth is only the beginning. Businesses that want to grow faster should focus on creating efficient systems, strengthening customer relationships, improving financial management, and investing in marketing.

Consistent learning is equally important. Successful entrepreneurs regularly study industry trends, analyze competitors, and seek new ways to improve their products and services.

Growth is rarely immediate. It often results from a series of small improvements implemented consistently over time. Every positive change, no matter how minor, contributes to long-term success.

Many small businesses fail to grow not because of a lack of effort, but because of common mistakes that limit their potential. Poor financial management, weak marketing, unclear goals, resistance to change, and inadequate customer service are just a few of the obstacles that can prevent progress.

The good news is that these challenges can be overcome. By identifying weaknesses, making strategic improvements, and remaining committed to continuous growth, entrepreneurs can build stronger, more profitable businesses.

Every successful company started small. The difference is that successful business owners learn from mistakes, adapt to change, and consistently take action toward their goals. With the right mindset and strategies, your small business can achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.