Messi cleared to play against Bayern in Champions League

Munich: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been given the all-clear to play in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Bayern Munich later on Tuesday after recovering from a hamstring strain, the La Liga club said.

"The Argentine player has the green light from the doctors to take part in the crucial match against the German side," Barca said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.es).

Messi, who sustained the injury in the quarter-final first leg at Paris St Germain, had "completely recovered", the statement said.

The World Player of the Year missed Barca's last three La Liga games but came on for the final half an hour of the second leg against PSG to help the Catalans reach the last four on away goals.