Opinion

MADRID - The first Barcelona v Real Madrid meeting after the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain will be headlined on Sunday by two youngsters as a game typically billed as a clash of superstars instead looks to the upcoming talent of Vinícius Jr and Ansu Fati.

The two players still have a lot to prove, but their talent has elevated them to a point where they are becoming the new faces of their clubs.

Juventus’ 2020-21 season, Andrea Pirlo’s first and only in charge, was a failure by the club’s own lofty standards. Pirlo delivered the Coppa and Supercoppa, but Juve’s nine-year grip on the Scudetto was ended by Inter Milan while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League dream was humiliatingly crushed by Porto in the Round of 16.

The fallout was immense with Pirlo sacked and Ronaldo sold, making the campaign one of Juve’s most dramatic — thankfully, Amazon Prime Video Sport was there filming it all.

Now that Season 2 of “Ted Lasso” has come to a close, fans of the series may be dismayed to learn Apple TV+ only plans to produce one more season of the beloved series. This time next year we could be mourning the end of Ted Lasso’s story at AFC Richmond. Given the success of the series — and the dearth of other programming on Apple TV+ — I wouldn’t be surprised if the series produces a Ted Lasso spinoff or two.

Talks over a World Cup taking place every two years continue to heat up. Former Arsenal manager and current FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger insisted that a biennial World Cup isn’t a money grab.

His critics disagree.

️ "The perception of time has changed and the younger generation wants to be entertained much more."

The internet is divided right now over an incredible video of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland stacking three balls on top of each other and then proceeding to shoot each one into the upper 90 of a goal. Is the Erling Haaland video real though?

I hate to be that guy, but this video probably isn’t real.

Before we debate, let’s watch the video.

This is real, trust uspic.twitter.com/UExs5LbKUi

Everyone is well-versed in Alphonso Davies’ game-changing pace and ability to dice any defender on the planet off the dribble, but it’s his increasing effectiveness in the final third that makes the 20-year-old standout as one of football’s brightest talents.

That’s not to say it’s a new development in his game. At the tender age of 17 Davies was already one of Major League Soccer’s most devastating players in attack, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists in 31 games to help facilitate his $11 million move to Bayern. (He’s now valued at $155 million.)

He’s here, he’s there, he’s every fucking where — Roooooyyy Keeennnt. Roy Kent. 

In Season 1 of “Ted Lasso,” there was no doubt Jason Sudeikis’ eponymous character was the star of the show. As Season 2 progressed, a new star emerged: Roy fucking Kent.