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Messi passed fit for Bayern semi-final

The 25-year-old was told at training today he would be ready to play against the Bavarians next week with his hamstring problem a thing of the past.

LIONEL MESSI IS fit to face Bayern Munich in Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final first leg next week.

The 25-year-old was told at training today he would be ready to play against the Bavarians with his hamstring problem a thing of the past.

The Argentine has missed Barca’s last two Liga matches with the injury, however, he did come off the bench in between Tito Vilanova side’s domestic matches to have a major impact in the Liga giant’s second leg with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.

The Catalunya club were trailing 1-0 when the four-time Ballon d’Or winner was brought off the bench. He eventually set up Pedro for the crucial equaliser which ensured their progression into the semi-finals on away goals (3-3 on aggregate).

It remains to be seen whether Vilanova and his assistant Jordi Roura choose to risk playing the forward against Levante on Saturday, though it can be assumed that Messi being rested is a sensible option with second-placed Real Madrid 13 points behind with seven games to go.

Before his injury, the attacker had gone on a record-breaking run of scoring in 19 consecutive Liga matches and tops the Primera Division goalscorer table with 43 goals.

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