Barcelona introduced that defender Eric Abidal was to bear a liver transplant on today 11 years in the past.
The France worldwide had liver surgical procedure the earlier yr after being identified with a tumour however a extra severe operation proved essential.
Barcelona’s assertion on March 15, 2012 learn: “Given the development of his medical condition, Abidal will undergo a liver transplant in the following weeks.
“The transplant is an option that has been considered since the beginning of his treatment, one year ago.”
Abidal solely missed seven weeks following his preliminary surgical procedure, returning to the staff for the end-of-season run-in with a lot of substitute appearances earlier than beginning the Champions League last towards Manchester United, when he was given the honour of lifting the trophy.
The then 32-year-old had been a daily starter throughout the 2011/12 season and the information got here as a shock to his team-mates once they had been advised previous to their coaching session.
Barca captain Carles Puyol mentioned: “We had a meeting minutes before going on to the pitch. It was a rude awakening. Eric was at the meeting.
“It is him who encourages us. His attitude is an example. We are confident that he will come out of this. We will give him all the strength we have and we will support him and his family.
“I am convinced that soon he will be fine. He is very strong, he showed that last season and will prove it again.”
Abidal underwent surgical procedure in April 2012, together with his cousin Gerard being the donor. He resumed coaching that October and made his return to the Barcelona facet in April 2013.
That summer season Abidal rejoined former membership Monaco earlier than a short spell at Olympiacos previous to saying his retirement in December 2014.
He returned to Barcelona in 2018 as director of soccer however was sacked after two years.
Abidal arrange a basis in his identify in 2013 to assist youngsters affected by most cancers and promote analysis.
