FIFA Club World Cup: Mbappé in doubt, Messi to face PSG

At the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso is still uncertain whether Kylian Mbappé will be available for their round of 16 game against Juventus on Tuesday, after the star forward missed all three group-stage matches due to acute gastroenteritis.  

Although Mbappé has returned to training, he was not even named on the bench in the 3-0 win over RB Salzburg. Alonso has stressed how crucial Mbappé is to the team, while acknowledging they must be cautious with his recovery. The French forward's absence has been a major setback for the Club World Cup, especially given FIFA's push to make it a marquee global tournament.  

Mbappé has made headlines for off-field issues, including a lawsuit against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) over alleged moral harassment and an ongoing dispute over 55 million euroes in unpaid wages. Despite these distractions, Madrid remain focused on winning the revamped tournament, with Mbappé - last season's top scorer - considered essential to their campaign.  

Chelsea hit the training pitch in Miami on Friday, with the London side slated to face Benfica later on Saturday in the round of 16 in Charlotte. Chelsea's new striker Liam Delap scored his first goal for the club in their 3-0 win over Esperance de Tunis on Tuesday, and helped secure their place in the knockout phase.  

Delap, whose transfer deal was 30 million pounds from Ipswich Town earlier this month, has settled in well and his quick progress will please coach Enzo Maresca given Chelsea will be without striker Nicolas Jackson against Benfica following his red card against Flamengo.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and his side Inter Miami are preparing for their round of 16 clash against his former team PSG, although Miami will be a heavy underdog against the French club who were winners of last month's UEFA Champions League with a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the final.  

It will be the first time Messi faces his former club since his exit in 2023 after two seasons. He will also be facing his former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, who is now the coach of PSG and has had a big influence on Messi and several Inter Miami stars. Messi was coached by Enrique for three of his 17 seasons with Barcelona from 2014 to 2017. 

The knockout stages of the Club World Cup begin Saturday, and Inter Miami's showdown with PSG will be on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.