Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x

Robert Lewandowski is powering Barcelona’s impressive start to the 2024/25 season under Hansi Flick.

The veteran Polish international was linked with a potential move away from Catalonia prior to Flick’s arrival but their pair have since reignited their Bayern Munich formula.

Lewandowski has already racked up an incredible tally of 19 goals scored in all competitions inside just 16 appearances.

Despite turning 36 in August, Lewandowski looks as sharp as ever, as the perfect focal point in Flick’s attack.

His aim is to get back above the 20-league goal mark, and he is on track to beat his Barcelona season tally of 33, from his debut 2022/23 campaign.

With the faith of Flick, the club ae now considering their options on Lewandowski’s contract, which includes multiple clauses.

As per reports from Diario Sport, Barcelona are ready to activate a clause to extend his deal by a further 12 months into 2026, if he completes 55% of games he is available for this season.

The specifics of that deal indicate a salary cut from €32m per year to around €26m in 2025/26.

With that requirement expected to be a formality in the coming months, Barcelona are open to stretching his deal on once again until 2027, with a another salary reduction in place.

This article first appeared on Football Espana and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspended for skipping MLS All-Star Game
Soccer

Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspended for skipping MLS All-Star Game

Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will be suspended for their upcoming Major League Soccer match against FC Cincinnati after both skipped the 2025 MLS All-Star Game without warning. "Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match," MLS said in a statement. Messi and Alba were both selected for the 2025 MLS All-Star team in the first round of voting. They remained on the All-Star roster until mere hours before the All-Star game kickoff, when it became apparent that neither had traveled to Austin for the match. The All-Star game was scheduled for July 23; Miami knew it had a crucial Eastern Conference clash against FC Cincinnati a few days later on July 26. Cincinnati's biggest stars, defender Miles Robinson and attacker Evander, were both slated to appear in the All-Star game. Haunted by its heavy defeat to Cincinnati earlier in the season and hungry for some advantage — any advantage — over its rival, Miami appears to have made a bet here. It kept its players out of the All-Star game, gave them an extra few days of rest, and gambled that MLS wouldn't dare punish its big-name stars. That gamble did not pay off. "I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don’t think there’s a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision," said MLS commissioner Don Garber. "Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision." MLS has done the right thing here by hewing close to its own policy. If Cincinnati had pulled the same stunt with Evander and Robinson, MLS would've suspended them without question; Messi, Alba and Miami should not be granted an exception simply because of their global fame. But still, there are important questions to be asked here about fixture pile-up in the middle of the MLS season. The majority of teams in MLS had competitive matches scheduled four days before and three days after the All-Star Game, many in far-flung cities. Asking any soccer player to compete in, say, New York on Saturday, Austin on Wednesday and Miami on Saturday, as Inter Miami's All-Stars were expected to do, is pushing it. Asking 38-year-old Lionel Messi to do that is borderline unconscionable. It's hardly surprising that he and Miami conspired to skip the middle leg of their schedule. It's just too much travel — and too much action — for a player of Messi's age and caliber. Miami and its players deserve to be punished for breaking the rules, but the All-Star Game schedule needs a rethink, too. "We’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward," Garber said. "I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve." Inter Miami will face FC Cincinnati — its biggest rival in the Eastern Conference this season — without Messi and Alba on Saturday.

Five potential landing spots for Christian Wilkins after stunning Raiders release
NFL

Five potential landing spots for Christian Wilkins after stunning Raiders release

The Las Vegas Raiders just stunned the league by releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins after only one year with the team. After signing a four-year, $110 million contract, he struggled with injuries in 2024. This was supposed to be a big bounce-back year for Wilkins, but after a dispute between the two sides in regard to how to handle his foot injury, the team decided it was best to part ways. Now, a premier interior disruptor is suddenly available. Assuming his medicals get checked out soon, there should be a lot of interest around the league. Where should he land? Dallas Cowboys Dallas has needed a dominant interior presence for quite some time. Osa Odighizuwa is an awesome threat, but he is only solid against the run. Alongside him, the team will be banking heavily on 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, who has been disappointing so far. With Dallas looking to return to the playoffs, adding a stud like Wilkins could give Dallas one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers added some young bodies in CJ West and Alfred Collins, yet neither offer a proven, all-around talent like Wilkins could if healthy. The 49ers defensive line was horrid outside of Nick Bosa in 2024, but by adding Wilkins, the team would now have a solid cast of starters with Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Wilkins and Kevin Givens/Jordan Elliott. Miami Dolphins A return to Miami makes a ton of sense for both sides. The Dolphins know exactly how to use Wilkins, he knows the building and players, and the transition would be very easy. Miami needs help in the interior defensive line; by plugging Wilkins back into his old role, he could offer the quickest path to high-level impact. Detroit Lions With Levi Onwuzurike out with injury and Detroit needing more juice on the defensive line, adding a proven disruptor like Wilkins could make some sense. He could provide more depth while he gets fully healthy, and he can join a legit Super Bowl contender. His energy and mentality could be a good fit for a Dan Campbell-led squad. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars defense is average in the interior, but they have excellent edge-rushers who would benefit greatly from a strong disruptor up the middle. Wilkins could balance the front, help in the run defense and allow more one-on-ones for their premier edge-rushers. For a team that wants to return to the playoffs as soon as possible, adding a veteran like Wilkins could be a worthy bet to make.

Raiders Add Former Chiefs, Texas DT After Christian Wilkins Release
NFL

Raiders Add Former Chiefs, Texas DT After Christian Wilkins Release

The Las Vegas Raiders signed former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million deal last offseason. Unfortunately, he only played in five games during the 2024 NFL season due to an injury. Wilkins had not yet returned to the offseason program for the Raiders this year, as he suffered a setback in his recovery process. A bitter, ongoing debate between him and the franchise about how best to rehabilitate his injury led to his release on Thursday. After this sudden move, Las Vegas needed to act quickly to add another defensive tackle to the roster. On Friday, NFL Insider Aaron Wilson reported that the team had been awarded Keondre Coburn off waivers. "#Raiders awarded DT Keondre Coburn off waivers, per a league source," Wilson wrote. Coburn played his college football with the Texas Longhorns and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. There, he only played in one game during his rookie season, but won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs. He spent the last one and a half seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he saw his role marginally increase. Coburn played in 15 contests last season for the Titans, starting one game and recording 14 tackles. The new regime in Las Vegas, spearheaded by head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, will give Coburn another chance in the NFL. He is just 25 years old and lands with the Raiders after being waived by Tennessee the day prior.

Did the Yankees Just Help Anthony Volpe With This Ryan McMahon Trade?
MLB

Did the Yankees Just Help Anthony Volpe With This Ryan McMahon Trade?

The Yankees didn’t trade for Ryan McMahon to help Anthony Volpe. Not directly, anyway. They made the move to shore up the infield, cut down on errors, and stop bleeding runs behind Max Fried. They needed steadier hands, not a defensive whisperer. But according to former Rockies outfielder and current broadcaster Ryan Spilborghs, McMahon’s arrival could have a secondary benefit—helping Volpe get back to his Gold Glove level. “I think so,” Spilborghs said on SiriusXm’s MLB Network Radio’s “Loud Outs” show right after the news was announced. “The range you’re going to get with McMahon... he’s played with really good shortstops—Trevor Story, and now a Gold Glover in Ezequiel Tovar. It’s not an accident that a shortstop wins a Gold Glove. Because the guy next to him was really good.” It’s a simple point, but one Yankees fans should appreciate. The left side of the infield operates as a unit, especially when dealing with groundball-heavy pitchers like Fried. In 2023, Volpe was a breakout defender. In 2025, he’s been fighting through inconsistency, Both mentally and mechanically, and was recently the focus of some tough-love commentary from Joe Maddon. The former MLB manager actually suggested sending Volpe to the minors to help him reset his mind. Adding McMahon, who ranks among the league’s top defensive third basemen since 2021 in Defensive Runs Saved, could stabilize that side of the field—and in the process, take some pressure off Volpe. More consistency. More trust. More plays made. Helping Volpe get back on track is not the headline reason the Yankees acquired McMahon. They desperately needed to improve their defense at third base and protect their investment in ground-ball pitcher Max Fried. But if it gets Volpe back to being a decent shortstop, it could end up being one of the most important ones.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!