Source: Daily_Mail
Doing it for the kids! Barca's brave defender Abidal reveals inspiration for Wembley final
ShareEric Abidal has revealed his burning desire to face Manchester United comes from time he spent recuperating with kids fighting cancer in the hospital where he underwent an operation on his liver. [LNB]The Barcelona defender, 31, was diagnosed with the tumour two months ago, but made a swift recovery and is now eyeing a place int he starting line-up at for the showpiece final at Wembley on May 28. [LNB]He revealed the details of his battle to be fit for the Champions League final and how he was inspired by those younger than him, fighting for their lives on a cancer ward. [LNB] Hero: Abidal is hoisted aloft by his Barca team-mates after his swift return[LNB]Abidal told The Sun: 'The fitness coaches know me well and they will have me ready for the day. When something like this happens in your life it can change you and it has changed me a lot, above all my character.[LNB]'I keep having more tests because it affected my liver now, but tomorrow it can be something else.'[LNB]Abidal added: 'I felt that the fans were behind me and that gave me strength to come back. It's never easy when something like this happens to you. But I learnt a lot from the children that I saw fighting for their lives against the illness at the hospital.[LNB] Fit for the job: Abidal replaces captain Carlos Puyol in the semi with Real Madrid[LNB]'The day after I was diagnosed with a tumour I went to the training ground to tell my team-mates.[LNB]'It was ahead of a very important game against Getafe and I told them not to worry about me, I told them that the doctors would simply open me up and would cut off a bit of my liver and that would be that. I think it helped the team because they won.'[LNB]Abidal is also hoping to banish the memory of missing Barca's 2009final victory over United in Rome. The defender was banned after being shown a red card against Chelsea in semi-final. [LNB]He said: 'If I don't play again it doesn't matter - as long as we beat United.' United target Stekelenburg admits he'd be 'insane' to snub Old TraffordFerguson escapes with warning over ref comments as Carlo is also ticked offBeckham set for Old Trafford as Neville testimonial reunites Class of '92All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:Places: Barcelona, Rome
