Abidal turns 'idol' for cancer-stricken kid

Barcelona, Jan 23(ANI): Eric Abidal who had a cancerous tumour detached from his liver last year, visited a 15-year old cancer-stricken kid along with some other Barcelona players to cheer him up.

J.Garcia Serra, the father of the kid had sent an emotional letter to the Barca defender in which he has expressed his gratitude towards him.

"The only thing I was able to tell my 15-year-old son was 'you have in your head the same thing Abidal had in his liver and tomorrow they will take it out," Serra wrote in his letter.

Serra mentioned in his letter about the admiration his son had for Abidal and the inspiration, which Abidal provided him.

"My son said: 'Dad get me the shirt of Abidal, I will fight like him and will win my own Champions League.' He didn't cry, he was the only one not to. He went to the operating theatre with the shirt of Abidal and he had it in his bedstead at the hospital," the letter revealed.

After five months of operations, radio and chemotherapy on January 5, some Barca players visited the kids at the hospital.

"Carles Puyol, Alexis Sanchez and Abidal. A nurse made sure that Eric came to our room. When Abidal came in the room he embraced my son, who cried for the first time unable to stop."

"Abidal told my son: 'Come come brother, I am here to give you courage. I am also fighting against this disease and will set up a foundation that gives joy and helps all the sick children."

"He was affectionate, tender and friendly and for ten minutes he never let my son out of his arms. We were all so emotional and grateful."

The letter from the grateful father also revealed how Abidal gave his expensive watch with his name on the back to his son to make him happy, The Sun reports.

"Before leaving, he took off his Rolex Daytona and gave it to my son. 'Here I want you to have it, my name is on the back.' It was impossible to get Eric to take the watch back. 'It doesn't matter what this is worth. I want your son to be happy," said the letter.

Serra also thanked Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and other Catalan player for sparing their time but termed Abidal as an 'idol' for them, some one who meant a lot to his family.

"At night he kept switching on the light to look at the watch's inscription."

"The visit of the players improved the spirit of the children more than any medicine. We admire Pep Guardiola, Leo Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Puyol but for my family the great idol will always be Eric Abidal, he is more than a player for us," said Serra. (ANI)