Abidal to have surgery

The club announced the news regarding the 31-year-old French player via their official Twitter feed.

"A liver tumour has been detected in the player Eric Abidal and he will be treated surgically next Friday," Barcelona announced.

"Abidal will be operated on by Dr Josep Fuster Obregon. Per the express wish of the player, we call for the utmost respect for the right to privacy."

Barcelona confirmed in a short statement on their website that Abidal will be operated upon at the BarnaClinic Grup Hospital Clinic, in the city.

Abidal joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2007 and has been a regular this season in the team which leads the Primera Division and has reached the Champions League quarter-finals.

He played in both matches against Arsenal in the last 16 of the latter competition.

Capped 52 times by France, Abidal made his international debut in 2004 and has played at two World Cups as well as the 2008 European Championship.

Real Madrid's Brazilian playmaker Kaka reacted to the news by writing on Twitter: "What sad news about Eric Abidal, tumor in the liver! Let's pray for him .. God bless!!"