The France defender, who has survived cancer in recent years, has been an unsung hero of Barcelona’s recent successes.
“Football for me is a passion since I was a child,” Abidal said. “I don’t see myself quitting now. I have made all this effort to come back to play football. My health is better now. When my body tells me to stop I will hang up the boots.
“I would have liked to keep on playing here, but the club sees it differently and I have to respect that.”
