Lionel Messi Receives Medical Green Light; Likely To Start Versus Bayern Munich

Lionel Messi has finally received the medical green light to return to action, and as a result, is virtually certain to start in tonight's 2012-13 UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Of course, no-one really expected Messi to miss a minute of tonight's crucial fixture - but it's a relief that our Argentine superstar has finally been given clearance by the medical team. Thanks to the hamstring injury that Messi picked up in the first-leg of Barca's quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona have been without their star striker for all but 29 minutes of their past four matches.

As a result of his injury, Lionel Messi has also fallen three goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo as he bids to become the first-ever player to be named as top-scorer of the competition for a record fifth successive time - as if he needs any more motivation to put in an incredible performance tonight - and ominously for Bayern, the last time Messi squared up against German opposition, he scored a stunning five goals against Bayer Leverkusen.