Alves upset by Abidal 'mistreatment'

Posted Thursday, August 08, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Barcelona defender Dani Alves is annoyed by the club's decision to release Eric Abidal in the summer after battling his way back from cancer.

Abidal underwent a liver transplant in March 2012, spent a year in recovery and made his comeback for Barcelona towards the end of last season.

However, the Frenchman was then deemed to be excess to the Barcelona squad and was promptly released by the club where he joined former side Monaco in the Ligue 1.

Alves, who has partnered with Abidal frequently since joining the club in 2008, felt annoyed at the treatment of Abidal.

"Abidal's exit was a very unpleasant surprise. The decision to release him really annoyed me after all he'd gone through and done," the Brazil international told RAC1.

"I wanted him to continue at Barca after all that had happened and how he fought his way back. Yet when he got back he wasn't given a new deal.

"If Barcelona are more than a club, that is for the support they gave him during his recovery... The entire situation leaves a bit of a bittersweet taste, though.

"I just wish that football was a bit more fair. Eric will continue to be an example to follow for me."

Alves also had his say on the departure of Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich and rued the midfielder's decision to leave the club.

He added: "Thiago is my friend and I know that he wanted to play more. I think that he left too early as he was still young and becoming more important, but he made a brave decision."