Abidal: I want to finish my career at Barcelona

Posted Friday, April 12, 2013 by Goal.com

The 33-year-old has recently returned to the side after a lengthy absence following a liver transplant and now has his heart set on ending his playing days at Camp Nou

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has revealed he wants to see out his career with the club.

The 33-year-old made an emotional return to Camp Nou last weekend after missing a year of football as he recovered from a liver transplant.

The defender came on for Gerard Pique in the 70th minute of the 5-0 victory over Mallorca, and received a standing ovation from supporters.

And Abidal, whose contract expires at the end of the season, admits that he is desperate to remain with the Catalans, but acknowledges the decision is ultimately up to the club.

“This is a message for the club: it is true that my contract ends in June but I fought back and I want to keep playing, I want to finish here, I want to play but I'll decide my future,” he told reporters.

When asked about recovering from his illness, the defender simply replied: "I had help from a lot of people, my family, colleagues and the surgeon. The doctor told me 'you will continue with your normal life', and my life is football."