In a gesture symbolising Barcelona's team ethic, club captain Carles Puyol handed cancer survivor Éric Abidal the armband and let the defender to lift the Champions League trophy.
Barcelona were shocked in March when Abidal, who had been in imperious form, was told that he had a tumor on his liver.
Less than six weeks later he returned to training and since then he's resumed playing to win a La Liga title, earn a recall to the French national team and play a full part in the club's 3-1 Champions League triumph over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.
Normally, the team captain is awarded the honor of being the first man to hoist the trophy aloft, but Puyol instead ordered Abidal to take the honour in recognition of his inspirational comeback.
"I can't explain the emotions I have," Abidal told reporters. "It's spectacular. I'm so thankful for the gesture."
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola also praised his captain for a gesture he described as making the club stronger.
He said: "I want to thank Carles publicly for the gesture. It honours the club and makes us stronger.
"It's another demonstration of the sort of club I understand we are and demonstrates the human qualities of the dressing room."
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| Éric Abidal lifts the Champions League trophy as his Barcelona team-mates celebrate Photo: Getty Images |
Barcelona were shocked in March when Abidal, who had been in imperious form, was told that he had a tumor on his liver.
He quickly went into surgery to have the tumor removed and ever since, the Frenchman has just made a mockery of the recovery process with a stunningly fantastic comeback.
Less than six weeks later he returned to training and since then he's resumed playing to win a La Liga title, earn a recall to the French national team and play a full part in the club's 3-1 Champions League triumph over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.
Normally, the team captain is awarded the honor of being the first man to hoist the trophy aloft, but Puyol instead ordered Abidal to take the honour in recognition of his inspirational comeback.
"I can't explain the emotions I have," Abidal told reporters. "It's spectacular. I'm so thankful for the gesture."
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola also praised his captain for a gesture he described as making the club stronger.
He said: "I want to thank Carles publicly for the gesture. It honours the club and makes us stronger.
"It's another demonstration of the sort of club I understand we are and demonstrates the human qualities of the dressing room."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
