Cancer has changed me, says Abidal

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal admits his priorities have changed after a cancerous tumour on his liver rocked his world in March.

The Frenchman was rushed into surgery and had the tumour removed two days later, before coming back to be a part of the club’s second-leg Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid as a substitute.

He started his first game since the operation on May 11 when Barca wrapped up the La Liga title at Levante and is in contention for a berth in the Champions League final against Manchester United on May 28.

Abidal said his close brush with cancer has changed him and that he thought his football career might be over.

“I thought that I wouldn’t play again,” the 31-year-old said.

“It was during a short period of time, when they detect a tumour you immediately think the worst and it was the first thing I asked the doctors. This season was very difficult, but in the end things turned out well.”

“I see it (life) differently. Many things that you think were useful, aren’t any more. That’s why I’ve sold all the cars that I had.”

“When you suffer a problem like mine, all the cars you have don’t serve for anything. For this I’ve sold them and the money will go to the fight against illnesses with some associations that I have had contact with.”

Abidal’s return to the Barcelona team was nominated by manager Pep Guardiola as his highlight of the season, despite the fact his club won their third successive La Liga.

But whether Guardiola uses Abidal against Manchester United remains to be seen, with the defender insisting that the team and their hopes of victory are more important than if he plays.

“I haven’t played in some finals and I might not play in this one, but I always say that the team is the important thing,” he said.

“The win belongs to everyone because in the Champions League there are lots of games and a lot of players get the chance to participate. The victory belongs to everyone. I have this mentality and will never change it.”