Giovanni van Bronckhorst hails Eric Abidal upon his speedy recovery – La Liga news
Former Dutch International, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giovanni-c14985 van Bronckhorst, has hailed Eric Abidal for making a speedy recovery from a liver tumour, which threatened to end the Frenchman’s career. He was talking after Barcelona’s title triumph last night when they travelled away
to Levante and came out with a 1-1 draw. The draw sealed the title for the Catalan giants and closed the doors upon rivals Real Madrid who had a slim chance of clinching the title before this result.
The 36-year-old was all at praise for the defender who made a spirited recovery and enabled himself to play again in Barcelona colours. Abidal, after making a cameo appearance as an 89th minute substitute for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 during the second-leg
of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, started the game against Levante UD. He was later taken off in the 62nd
minute to be replaced by defender Andreu Fontas.
The former Barcelona man heaped praise on Abidal, saying that no one had thought of this early recovery and saluted him for not only getting fit but also making himself eligible to play again. The French International was earlier diagnosed with a serious
Liver problem which diminished any hopes of the defender appearing again during the current season. The 31-year-old, though, shocked everybody with an early comeback.
Van Bronckhorst further mentioned, “What can you say about Abidal? Nothing that hasn't already been said. I'm happy for him and the team. He is a footballer who has become respected worldwide. He's a winner, on and off the field, and he has won the most
difficult match.”
The former Dutch International served Barcelona for four years (2003-07) and made 105 La Liga appearances during that time, bagging five goals in the process. He then moved to Eredivisie side, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Feyenoord-c39258, and ended his footballing career in 2010. He also
made 106 International appearances for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 and netted six times.
Giovanni was jubilant after the Catalan giants were pronounced champions for the 21st time and hoped to see his former team lifting the Champions League crown. He concluded, "I embraced him with all my friends, and also with people who I'd never
seen in my life."
Barcelona are left with two League games to be played before they travel away to take on Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final showdown on May 28.
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