After coming back from a liver transplant to play again, Eric Abidal said goodbye to Barcelona on Thursday after six trophy-filled seasons.
Abidal, who will turn 34 in July, has one match left with the Spanish league champions but would have liked more.
''Football for me is a passion since I was a child,'' Abidal said at Camp Nou. ''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,'' he added. ''But the club sees it differently and I have to respect that.''
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell said the door is open for Abidal to join the club's staff when he finishes his playing career.
''I am going, but I am sure that I will be back,'' Abidal said. ''I have a very interesting offer from the club that I will have to think about.''
Abidal thanked his family, teammates, coaches, and the team doctors and physical therapists that helped him through his medical issues. He battled back to play for Barcelona in April after a liver transplant last year following a bout with cancer in 2011.
He called his time with Barcelona the ''most intense years of his life.'' He showed some tears during a video tribute the club dedicated to him. He then embraced and kissed the cheek of each of his teammates, coaches, doctors, staff and club board members before leaving the room.
Abidal said he wants to keep playing as long as his health allows, but that he had not received any offers from other clubs. He will wait until he finishes his contract until considering his next move.
Neither Rosell nor sports director Andoni Zubizarreta offered a clear explanation on why Abidal had not been offered a new contract. Zubizarreta even said that Abidal's recovery following the transplant of a piece of his cousin's liver had exceeded expectations. But with Barcelona's back line aging, it appears the club may be looking to overhaul its defense.
Abidal helped key Barcelona's most successful run in club history, winning 15 titles in his six seasons. The former France defender joined Barcelona from Lyon for the 2007-08 season. After going through a transition and adapting to Barcelona's passing style - which requires its defenders to handle the ball under pressure - he slowly became a top player and fan favorite.
Starting as a left back, Abidal ended his stint with Barcelona at center back and as one of its most reliable defenders and veteran leaders.
''A great player, teammate and above all an example to follow! I wish you all the best my friend!'' Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who was present with the rest of the team, wrote on Twitter.
Besides two Champions League and four Spanish league titles, Abidal also helped the Catalan club win two Copa del Rey titles, two Club World Cups, two European Super Cups, and three Spanish Super Cups.
Abidal's last game is Saturday when Barcelona concludes league play against Malaga with the chance to equal a record of 100 points with a victory.
''The most important thing right now is my last game,'' Abidal said. ''Let's see if my coach plays me and I can have some minutes
