Messi fit for Barcelona's Spanish league opener

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona's team doctors have cleared Lionel Messi to play in the club's Spanish league opener against Levante.

Barcelona says Messi has recovered from a strained muscle in his left leg from last weekend and will take the field on Sunday.

The Argentina forward missed several games at the end of last season due to a nagging right hamstring injury.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas and forward Pedro Rodriguez have also recovered from injury in time to play for defending champion Barcelona.