Abidal waves goodbye: "I'd have liked to continue playing here"

Eric Abidal tried in vain to hold back the tears as he announced to a packed press room that he was leaving Barcelona.

The entire Barça squad attended the press conference, where Abidal was joined by president Sandro Rosell and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

The players' contract with the club expires in June and the club have decided against renewing it, but have offered him the opportunity to head up the club's programme of football schools around the world.

Abidal made an extraordinary comeback to football in April of this year against Real Betis to make his first appearance in a Barça shirt since undergoing a liver transplant in April 2012, made possible because his cousin donated his liver.

"Thanks to the president and to Zubizarreta for being here," said Abidal.