"King" Eric Abidal

Wow, what a person. I think it's unlikely he will play a competitive match ever again but if he does then

Even right now as he is training indoors, he is an inspiration to anyone.

Xavi: "He's impressive. An example. He's a great professional, every day at the gym morning and afternoon. I won't say that he will surely be available in November, but he will be back by November or December. He lightens up the dressing room; he's the one that puts on the music. In spite of going through all he has, he seems happier than us. He's a person that should stay at the club as an example to the youth."

Great news, if he makes it back to just 75% of what he was, we have better options at CB (and maybe leftback for that matter) than we have now.

Legend. Hope he becomes better than ever.

what a boss... if he manages to even play a few games after all this he went through I would be delighted

Reports that Abidal has been given the all-clear by the doctors to train again with the rest of the team!

It's a great day for us Barça fans. Contract extensions and the medical go-ahead for a possible return of Abi. Still remains to be seen if he will actually be able to contribute at this high level, but the fact alone that he was able to return this healthy is heartwarming. Great news.

Being declared fit to play and being match fit are different things though. I don't know what Abidal's current state is, but after being away for so long I can't imagine he's ready to start playing quite yet. He has a month to hit the gym and improve his conditioning and muscle mass, at least.

I assume your post is directed at RG? I'm just as cautious as you are with regards to an actual return. Just glad he really, really has recovered.

EDIT: Interesting to think about what position he would play though. The CB spot seems most likely to me. I don't think that he will be able to get to a point where he will be able to have the stamina and gait to run up and down the field as a fullback.

Such an inspiration. Words can't express how happy I am for this guy.

What a boss.

I am backing him to make a comeback, I believe in him.

Madvillain it depends on injuries. Can't see Puyol being fit enough the entire season, so he'll probably get a few shouts at CB.

Happy for Abidal. I don't think he can ever play at top levels again due to his age, condition and length of his injury, and perhaps should forget about the national team. I would like to see him back in Lyon.

I hope I'm wrong, of course.

Great to see him back. It's a success already, I just hope I'll be able to watch him play for Barca, even if just a 5 minute cameo at the end of a game already won.

One of my most favorite Barcelona players ever. Abidal

The experienced defender is one step closer to his first-team return after getting playing time with the Catalans' reserves

Barcelona have received some encouraging news from the treatment table as Eric Abidal has resumed match action again after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

With the majority of the Blaugrana players away on international duty, the Frenchman took part in a friendly match with Barcelona B against Ligue 2 outfit Istres on Tuesday morning.

Abidal was diagnosed with a liver tumour back in March 2011, and made a miraculous comeback only months later to feature in the Champions League final. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old was dealt another blow early in 2012 as he underwent a liver transplant in April last year.

The former Olympique Lyonnais defender had since been working on his recovery process, and is now one step closer to making his first-team comeback after getting playing time with the reserves.

Abidal last featured for Barcelona in the Liga win over Atletico Madrid on February 26, 2012

In his press conference primarily to explain the arthroscopy performed on Puyol, Dr Ricard Pruna also updated listeners on the situation with Abidal: “The medical clearance was a very important step because it was made in agreement between the doctors that performed the liver transplant at the clinic, the club, and the people that have been at his side. It is not easy to give medical clearance to anyone after an operation like that. From there, we explained to the coaching staff that he could start trying to train with the same intensity as the rest of the squad, and he certainly seems to be responding better and better. The player is gradually reaching the same level as his team mates”.

“We can’t say exactly when he’ll be back, but he is in a very positive mood because he knows it won’t be much longer” concluded Pruna. “I don’t think it’ll be long before he’s named in the squad. It depends on the coaches, but we’re not far off”. Speaking after the Rayo match, Jordi Roura ratified the doctor’s word’s and agreed that it won’t be long before Abi is back in action.

Great news.Can we have the fairy tale ending twice?
Abidal lifting the trophy again in Wembley.

Abidal , hope he'll play soon.

Would be great to see both Tito and Eric return at the same match.

Amazing.

I'd give a lot just to see him play for a little bit again. I've got nothing but admiration for King Eric.

I hope we get to the champions league final and win comfortably so we can let him on for the last 10 minutes.

Abidal: "I feel great. Apart from my family, football is my life. I didn't want to retire without having played again".

"If I can, I will continue playing for one or two more years. If not, you can hire me here at Barça TV... (laughs)" #fcblive

"I failed some passes, but guess it's normal after being away for a year. I'm happy we didn't concede while I was on the pitch."

"I said to Alexis before the game: 'You'll score today, don't forget me!'. I knew it was his day..."

Abidal the reason Alexis is scoring again

Abidal