Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has revealed that close friend and ex-team-mate Dani Alves offered to donate one of his kidneys to him.

Abidal, who signed for Monaco in the summer, was diagnosed with a liver tumour in 2011 but returned from surgery in time to lift the Champions League trophy on his team-mates' behest.

However at the end of the 2011/12 season, it was revealed that he required a liver transplant due to unresolved issues from the previous operation. That is when Alves made an offer which he was forced to turn down.

Abidal told Catalunya Radio: “When I had to undergo surgery, he offered to donate his liver. Of course, it’s completely out of the question because he is a professional footballer. Our relationship goes much deeper than friendship.  He wanted to support me. And besides, he's a very good person. He was my neighbor and his ex-wife and my wife are friends." ”

Alves has switched shirt number this season to show his support for his former team-mate, now donning the No 22.

Abidal also clarified rumours that Barcelona did not pay him during his illness. The France defender had told L'Equipe that the Catalan giants had chosen not to pay him. But he suggests that there are no issues:

"Everything was agreed to and what Barca said was true and what I said was also true. There isn't any problem."

He also plans to take up an offer from Barcelona to become a director of their football schools when he retires from the game.