Spanish champions Barcelona will pay a huge tribute to French defender Eric Abidal when he plays his final home match for the club against Malaga on Saturday.
"Once the match is finished, the first team players will reveal a shirt with 'Merci Abi 22' while 22 children will form a guard of honour to Abidal, his daughters and cousin Gerard," the club revealed on their website.
The French international stalwart, who wears the number 22 jersey at Barca, returned to full fitness in record time after undergoing a partial liver transplant donated by his cousin Gerard.
Abidal gave an emotional press conference on Thursday in which the 33-year-old explained he would have liked to continue his career at the Nou Camp after six seasons but has now accepted the fact he will play for another club next season.
Barcelona have also offered the inspirational defender a job as a technical director of their football youth system once his playing career is over.
Source: AFP
