Abidal targeting World Cup spot
ByReuters
Updated 12/08/2013 at 19:35 GMT
Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal never thought he could play for France again while he was recovering from a liver transplant but now hopes he will play in next year's World Cup in Brazil.
Abidal, 33, left Barcelona in the summer amid doubts over
his ability to recapture his form. His spell at Nou Camp was
marked by a couple of lengthy absences after he was diagnosed
with a liver tumour and underwent an operation in March 2011,
followed by the transplant in April last year.
But, after joining big-spending Ligue 1 newcomers Monaco, he
was rewarded for his convincing performances in the pre-season
games when France coach Didier Deschamps called him up for
Wednesday's international friendly in Belgium.
"I never had any hope for this after what I went through
during two years," Abidal told a news conference at
Clairefontaine's training camp, near Paris, on Monday.
"I am very proud to come back in the squad, to wear the blue
jersey, which is so important for me, again,"
"I'm not going to say that being back with France was my
first goal," he added, referring to the months he spent
recovering.
"Since it ended with Barca, a lot of things have happened.
I'm very happy, I'm enjoying life, I want to have fun on the
pitch. After all I've been through, I can only be happy to be
able to play."
Abidal, who last featured for Les Bleus in a friendly in
Germany in February last year, is set to win his 62nd cap for
France on Wednesday.
Deschamps hinted that Abidal would start at centre back.
"After including him in the squad, it would seem logical to
me that he starts, considering what he represents," Deschamps
told reporters.
"I can't see myself calling up a player like him, with his
experience, and telling him : 'You're coming to breathe
Clairefontaine's air'."
Abidal, who has been named captain by his Monaco coach
Claudio Ranieri, hoped the new start would help him play his
third World Cup after 2006 and 2010.
"I take things day by day. If I have fun with Monaco and if
we have a good season, I will definitely stay with les Bleus.
And I hope I'll go to Brazil," he said
France are second in their World Cup qualifying group with
ten points, one behind world champions Spain. They visit Georgia
on Sept. 6 and Belarus four days later, before hosting Finland
in the last round of matches in October.
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