Eric Abidal facial tumor surgery

  Eric Abidal Barcelona FC

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal will undergo surgery after the club today announced he has a liver tumour. The Primera Division club announced the news regarding the 31-year-old French player via their official Twitter feed tonight.

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

Eric Abidal France

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 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. He played in both matches against Arsenal in the last 16 of the latter competition.

Real Madrid's Brazilian playmaker Kaka reacted to the news tonight by writing on Twitter: "What sad news about Eric Abidal, tumor in the liver! Let's pray for him .. God bless!!" Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas wished Abidal well. "Much encouragement and a lot of strength to Eric Abidal. Bad news for football," Fabregas said.