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The summer of 2022 marked the beginning of Robert Lewandowski’s love affair with Barcelona. Three years later, the Polish striker has cemented his place as one of the club’s most prolific scorers, notching 101 goals in 147 appearances. Yet, as the 2025-26 season unfolds, uncertainty clouds his future. His contract runs out in less than twelve months, and Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has now offered a cryptic seven-word update that has left fans both puzzled and concerned.

Two decades have passed since Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in Berlin, one of the most dramatic finales in World Cup history. The name Zidane remains etched in soccer folklore, synonymous with genius, artistry, and controversy. Now, remarkably, the Zidane name could return to the World Cup spotlight in 2026. This time, however, it might not be the legendary playmaker himself, but his son, Luca Zidane, who steps onto soccer’s grandest stage.

When the debate turns to the world’s most creative footballers, names like Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele, and Christian Pulisic inevitably come up. This season, however, a surprising twist has emerged: the Milan winger is outperforming some of the biggest global icons in a crucial metric — one that highlights his growing influence in Serie A and beyond.

Luka Modric, Santiago Gimenez, and Christian Pulisic headline the talking points as Milan prepares for its Serie A clash against Udinese on Saturday evening. Massimiliano Allegri’s side, fresh from back-to-back wins, is looking to build momentum, though injuries and tactical tweaks have left fans guessing about who will make the starting eleven — and who will be left waiting on the bench.

Newly promoted Dynamo Dresden have endured a rocky start to life back in the 2. Bundesliga. Sitting 15th with just one win from five games, Thomas Stamm’s side have struggled to find consistency. Early defeats to Greuther Fürth and rivals FC Magdeburg in the “Elb-Clasico” exposed some of their shortcomings.

There’s only one change for Sandro Wagner’s side as Alexis Claude-Maurice replaces Kristijan Jakic. 

Hamburger SV and Heidenheim go head to head at the Volksparkstadion in the Bundesliga this afternoon.

TSG Hoffenheim and FC Bayern Munich lock horns at the PreZero Arena this afternoon.

Werder Bremen and SC Freiburg lock horns at the Weserstadion this afternoon.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has made it clear that no outside influence will sway him from sticking with his preferred system – not even divine intervention.

Liverpool and Everton meet once again for what could be a fiery Merseyside derby at Anfield to kick off the weekend’s action.

Like Gladbach, Leverkusen have already sacked a head coach this season, dismissing Erik ten Hag after just three games in charge. Die Werkself quickly turned to former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand, who kicked off his tenure with a 3-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Two Álex Grimaldo free-kicks helped Leverkusen clinch the spoils, despite finishing the game with nine men. 

The Freiburg collapse last weekend had the feel of a turning point. Not in the dramatic sense of a crisis, but in the subtler, more worrying way a team begins to lose its identity. 

After a thrilling battle in Turin which saw them emerge with a point, Borussia Dortmund make the quick turnaround to face VfL Wolfsburg on Matchday 4 of the Bundesliga. In what is only their second competitive fixture at the Westfalenstadion this season, it goes without saying that BVB will be keen to deliver another victory on home soil. 

Sebastian Hoeneß's side responded to their critics perfectly on Friday evening by beating St. Pauli 2-0 at Neckarstadion, easing early tension.