Eric Abidal has admitted his frustration at how Barcelona handled his exit this summer and revealed that they did not pay him during his illness.
The Frenchman battled back from a liver transplant undergone in 2012 to return to action for Barca in the closing weeks of the 2012-13 season.
However, it was not enough to convince the Catalans to extend his contract, citing their decision to release him as based on footballing grounds only.
On from having since joined Monaco and so far having had a regular spot in the defence, the 33-year-old has admitted that he was unhappy with how things ended at the Camp Nou.
“The problem was that I was out of contract. In these cases, your contract is renewed or it ends,” mused Abidal in conversation with L’Equipe this week, as he returns to international duty with France.
“I was prepared for both situations. It was complicated and difficult to accept, but I had no other choice. The adventure with Barcelona is over, but I am very happy to have started another with Monaco.
“It was difficult to understand, it was the words of Barca at my last Press conference. By asserting that it was a professional choice, it set doubts in other clubs.
“It was not even about money. The proof is that in every month that I was sick, the club has not paid me.
“Today, I am fortunate to have the confidence of the Coach and the President of Monaco. Touch wood, everything is fine. But it is true that I had a period of doubt.
“Would it have gone differently if Guardiola was still at the club? Certainly. This is a person who I like a lot and who I am still in contact with.
“He is a great Coach, it was he who gave me my chance. If he had still been there, I might have been able to continue.”
