Abidal: Alves offered me his liver

The left-back shed light on just how close his relationship is with the Brazilian, while also admitting that Pep Guardiola tried to take him to Bayern Munich

Eric Abidal has revealed that good friend and ex-Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves offered to give him his liver prior to his transplant.

It is widely known that the pair built up a special friendship during their time at Camp Nou and the Brazilian has ditched his usual shirt number to don Abidal’s old number 22 this season, as a mark of loyalty to his close companion.

But the Frenchman brought to light just how deep their friendship is when he disclosed the touching gesture made by Alves during his treatment.

“My relationship with Dani goes much further than him taking my old No.22 shirt,” Abidal told Catalunya Radio.

“When I had to undergo surgery, he offered to donate his liver.

“Of course, it’s completely out of the question because he is a professional footballer. Our relationship goes much deeper than friendship.”

The Monaco captain also brought to light attempts by Pep Guardiola to take him to Germany and join him at Bayern Munich, only for the European champions obstructed any move based on medical grounds.

“Guardiola wanted me to join him at Bayern, I won’t deny that,” confessed the 34-year-old.

“What happened is that it’s not really up to him. It’s a complicated matter and more so because of my health issues.

“Bayern’s directors and medical staff didn’t want to take that risk which I fully understand. But I understood the gesture perfectly.”