Eric Abidal: 'Daniel Alves offered to donate me his liver'

Monaco captain Eric Abidal has revealed that his former teammate Daniel Alves offered to donate his liver to him in order to help save the Frenchman's life.

The 34-year-old was diagnosed with liver cancer in March 2011 before undergoing a life-saving liver transplant within the space of two years.

Alves, who played alongside the defender at Barcelona, took over Abidal's vacated number 22 as a mark of respect following his summer transfer to Monaco, but the French international says that their friendship is deeper than that.

"My relationship with Dani goes much further than him taking my old No. 22 shirt. When I had to undergo surgery, he offered to donate his liver," Abidal told Catalunya Radio.

"Of course, it's completely out of the question because he is a professional footballer. Our relationship goes much deeper than friendship."

Abidal was part of the Monaco team who beat Lorient 1-0 on Sunday.