AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano, who underwent a heart operation on November 4, could return to training in January, according to a surprising prediction by club owner Silvio Berlusconi on Sunday.

"The doctors aren't ruling out the possibility that Cassano could return to training at the end of January," Berlusconi told Sky Sport.

Lionel Messi scored twice and Barcelona beat Brazil's Santos 4-0 on Sunday to win its second Club World Cup in three years.

Messi, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas scored in the first half as the European champions won its 13th trophy under coach Pep Guardiola, solidifying its stature as the best club team in the world.

Veteran striker Raul has said he is eager to stay at Schalke 04 with his contract set to expire in 2012 and extension talks with the Royal Blues due to be held in the winter break.

The 34-year-old served a timely reminder of his finishing skills with a hat-trick in Schalke's 5-0 drubbing of Werder Bremen on Saturday before the German league began its traditional winter break.

Juventus returned to the top of Serie A following a 2-0 victory at home to Novara on Sunday, while Inter Milan's revival continued as they won 1-0 at Cesena to climb to fifth place.

Juve's win enabled them to leapfrog AC Milan, who had taken over at the top by beating Siena 2-0 on Saturday.

Real Madrid recovered from their El Clasico defeat to Barcelona to stun Sevilla 6-2 while Manchester City stayed top in England.

City remained two points in front of champions Manchester United after a 1-0 win at home to Arsenal thanks to a 53rd-minute winner from David Silva.

Bayern Munich overcame an early red card for star forward Franck Ribery to beat Cologne 3-0 on Friday and ensure it remains at least three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga before the four-week winter break.

Ribery was sent off in the 33rd minute, earning a second yellow card for grabbing at Henrique Sereno's face just half a minute after both were shown a yellow for clashing in the penalty area.

The Chicago Bulls opened the pre-season Friday with a 95-86 win over the Indiana Pacers behind 16 points each from MVP Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.

The game was a rematch of last season's National Basketball Association first-round playoff series and one of four games on Friday that kicked off the post-lockout exhibition schedule.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Saturday that there were concerns about preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, adding he was taking action personally and will meet the government in the new year.

"The executive committee is worried about that," he said when asked about preparations for the showpiece tournament, which have been dogged by fears they are running behind schedule.

Santos take on Barcelona in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday, pitting Lionel Messi against Neymar in what is being billed as a clash between two of the finest players on the planet.

The European champions Barca will be clear favorites against the Brazilians, who were sublime going forward but edgy at the back in their semi-final 3-1 defeat of Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol on Wednesday.

England's two surviving representatives in the Champions League, Chelsea and Arsenal, were handed tough ties against Italian opposition in Friday's draw, while holders Barcelona will come up against Germany's Bayer Leverkusen.

Chelsea will take on Napoli, while Arsenal will meet reigning Serie A champions AC Milan, with both Premier League clubs travelling to Italy first.