Barca didnt want to assume risk - Abidal

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

French defender Eric Abidal has claimed that Barcelona didn't offer him a new playing contract after recovering from a liver transplant because they didn't want to assume the risk that something would happen to him whilst on the field.

The 33-year-old returned to first-team action in early April after 14 months out due to the transplant, but he went onto make only four more appearances for the Catalans before the end of the season.

"They considered there was a risk that something could happen to me, they didn't want to assume this supposed responsability," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Sunday.

"I want to continue playing whilst the doctors give me permission. I don't think it is the moment to leave it, I want to try and reach 35 before retiring."

Abidal spent six years with the Catalans, winning two Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles, but he insisted he didn't have any bad feelings towards the club and welcomed the offer to return as a technical director in Barca's football schools once he retires from playing.

"I would have liked to continue and this is not what I had in mind, but I go with good memories. Barcelona has been my second family.

"I like the offer because I love the kids and I want to teach young people what I have lived. It is a luxury to have this future, it will be a pleasure to work here, but only once I retire."

Barca didnt want to assume risk - Abidal

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

French defender Eric Abidal has claimed that Barcelona didn't offer him a new playing contract after recovering from a liver transplant because they didn't want to assume the risk that something would happen to him whilst on the field.

The 33-year-old returned to first-team action in early April after 14 months out due to the transplant, but he went onto make only four more appearances for the Catalans before the end of the season.

"They considered there was a risk that something could happen to me, they didn't want to assume this supposed responsability," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Sunday.

"I want to continue playing whilst the doctors give me permission. I don't think it is the moment to leave it, I want to try and reach 35 before retiring."

Abidal spent six years with the Catalans, winning two Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles, but he insisted he didn't have any bad feelings towards the club and welcomed the offer to return as a technical director in Barca's football schools once he retires from playing.

"I would have liked to continue and this is not what I had in mind, but I go with good memories. Barcelona has been my second family.

"I like the offer because I love the kids and I want to teach young people what I have lived. It is a luxury to have this future, it will be a pleasure to work here, but only once I retire."

Barca didnt want to assume risk - Abidal

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

French defender Eric Abidal has claimed that Barcelona didn't offer him a new playing contract after recovering from a liver transplant because they didn't want to assume the risk that something would happen to him whilst on the field.

The 33-year-old returned to first-team action in early April after 14 months out due to the transplant, but he went onto make only four more appearances for the Catalans before the end of the season.

"They considered there was a risk that something could happen to me, they didn't want to assume this supposed responsability," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Sunday.

"I want to continue playing whilst the doctors give me permission. I don't think it is the moment to leave it, I want to try and reach 35 before retiring."

Abidal spent six years with the Catalans, winning two Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles, but he insisted he didn't have any bad feelings towards the club and welcomed the offer to return as a technical director in Barca's football schools once he retires from playing.

"I would have liked to continue and this is not what I had in mind, but I go with good memories. Barcelona has been my second family.

"I like the offer because I love the kids and I want to teach young people what I have lived. It is a luxury to have this future, it will be a pleasure to work here, but only once I retire."

Neymar didnt join Barca for money - Vilanova

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has expressed his delight at the club's capture of Brazilian international Neymar.

The Catalan club confirmed on Sunday that the 21-year-old will join them on a five-year contract in a deal that is expected to cost the Spanish champions around 50 million euros ($65m, £43m) and Vilanova hailed the player for not choosing the option to earn more money at other clubs.

"We have to congratulate the secretarial team for the signing of Neymar," he said at a press conference after Barca's 2-0 defeat of Espanyol on Sunday night.

"He is a significant signing and we have been very aware of him for a long time because we knew he could receive better offers from others.

"I also congratulate Neymar for choosing a sporting project and not an economic one. I have confidence that he is going to do well in Europe and he is going to help us be better."

And Vilanova also dismissed claims that Neymar is more of a flashy player, more capable of eye-catching flicks and tricks than delivering effectively for the team.

"If they say Neymar is a Youtube player that is a good thing because he scores great goals and makes great plays," he added.

"He has chosen Barcelona because he thinks he can adapt well to this style of play. It is a dream to have a striker like this. The more better players we have, the better our chances will be of winning.

"Now we have to combine everyone in the best way, like we have done in the past."

Barca's victory in the Catalan derby also eased them to within three points of Real Madrid's record 100 points tally from last season, a record that Vilanova is now keen to match when they host Malaga next weekend.

"When I started to hear about this record we were very far away from it and it was best not to talk about these things.

"Now we are just one game, one victory away and we have to try and do it."

Barca didnt want to assume risk - Abidal

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

French defender Eric Abidal has claimed that Barcelona didn't offer him a new playing contract after recovering from a liver transplant because they didn't want to assume the risk that something would happen to him whilst on the field.

The 33-year-old returned to first-team action in early April after 14 months out due to the transplant, but he went onto make only four more appearances for the Catalans before the end of the season.

"They considered there was a risk that something could happen to me, they didn't want to assume this supposed responsability," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Sunday.

"I want to continue playing whilst the doctors give me permission. I don't think it is the moment to leave it, I want to try and reach 35 before retiring."

Abidal spent six years with the Catalans, winning two Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles, but he insisted he didn't have any bad feelings towards the club and welcomed the offer to return as a technical director in Barca's football schools once he retires from playing.

"I would have liked to continue and this is not what I had in mind, but I go with good memories. Barcelona has been my second family.

"I like the offer because I love the kids and I want to teach young people what I have lived. It is a luxury to have this future, it will be a pleasure to work here, but only once I retire."

Neymar didnt join Barca for money - Vilanova

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has expressed his delight at the club's capture of Brazilian international Neymar.

The Catalan club confirmed on Sunday that the 21-year-old will join them on a five-year contract in a deal that is expected to cost the Spanish champions around 50 million euros ($65m, £43m) and Vilanova hailed the player for not choosing the option to earn more money at other clubs.

"We have to congratulate the secretarial team for the signing of Neymar," he said at a press conference after Barca's 2-0 defeat of Espanyol on Sunday night.

"He is a significant signing and we have been very aware of him for a long time because we knew he could receive better offers from others.

"I also congratulate Neymar for choosing a sporting project and not an economic one. I have confidence that he is going to do well in Europe and he is going to help us be better."

And Vilanova also dismissed claims that Neymar is more of a flashy player, more capable of eye-catching flicks and tricks than delivering effectively for the team.

"If they say Neymar is a Youtube player that is a good thing because he scores great goals and makes great plays," he added.

"He has chosen Barcelona because he thinks he can adapt well to this style of play. It is a dream to have a striker like this. The more better players we have, the better our chances will be of winning.

"Now we have to combine everyone in the best way, like we have done in the past."

Barca's victory in the Catalan derby also eased them to within three points of Real Madrid's record 100 points tally from last season, a record that Vilanova is now keen to match when they host Malaga next weekend.

"When I started to hear about this record we were very far away from it and it was best not to talk about these things.

"Now we are just one game, one victory away and we have to try and do it."