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Alves, left, with Abidal before the Frenchman left Barcelona. Miquel Llop/CORDON/Press Association Images

Dani Alves offered Eric Abidal part of his liver for transplant

Alves now wears Abidal’s old number 22 shirt but the story “goes beyond the jersey.”

BARCELONA’S DANI ALVES offered team-mate Eric Abidal part of his liver when he needed a transplant last year.

Alves “wanted to give me his liver but it couldn’t be,” Abidal told Radio Catalunya in quotes obtained by the Associated Press.

The French defender, 34, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in March 2011 and needed a transplant. His cousin donated part of his liver for the procedure.

The operation was a success and Abidal was able to resume his football career but left Barcelona at the end of last season. He is now the captain of Ligue 1 side Monaco while Alves wears his old number 22 for the Catalan giants.

“The story with Dani goes beyond the jersey,” Abidal said.

“He knows it. Me too. We are friends and we talk about everything. He wanted to support me.”

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7 Comments
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    Mute willie
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    Sep 16th 2013, 12:15 PM

    I had the privilege of seeing abidal live at nou camp 3 years ago, never properly rated him til then, unbelievable athlete, easily man of match that day.

    Alves has now gone up in my estimation also, a gesture alot in his shoes wouldn’t dream of

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    Mute john cleary
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    Sep 16th 2013, 12:41 PM

    The humane touch at Barca is more than skin deep.

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    Mute Enda Corry
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    Sep 17th 2013, 4:53 AM

    Yeah, by not paying him wages or for his treatment!!

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    Mute Moyes red devil boys
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:34 PM

    That’s what you call a team mate. Someone that would risk his own health to help a colleague. Not someone who stands by a player for biting/racism just because he’s a good player and would be very poor without him.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Sep 16th 2013, 2:18 PM

    This is a good story you had to drag down to base level with your tribal bullish!t. Grow up and get a life

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    Mute Peter Govan
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    Sep 16th 2013, 7:09 PM

    Started well but tailed off to show your nothing but a clown

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    Mute James Quinn
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    Sep 16th 2013, 10:47 PM

    Typical manc bringing a good story down a level or 2.

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