HealthOn 15 March 2011, Barcelona announced that Abidal was diagnosed with a tumor on his liver. He had surgery on his liver on 17 March 2011.[9] Citing privacy concerns as wished by the player, the club did not release additional information in regards to his condition.[10] In response to the announcement, players and fans from all over the world alike dedicated well wishes for the ill player on multiple social networking sites and sports websites.[11][12]
Before their Round of 16 match in the Champions League both Real Madrid and Olympique Lyonnais players exited onto the pitch wearing Ánimo Abidal (Strength Abidal) t-shirts along with the same message on the Santiago Bernabéu's scoreboards in show of support and solidarity.[13][14]
During the Barcelona's match against Getafe on 19 March, the fans at the stadium clapped for the entire 22nd minute, which is Abidal's shirt number for Barcelona, as a respectful moment for him.
Abidal returned to action on the 3rd of May 2011, just 7 weeks after the diagnosis of the tumour, as a substitute in Barcelona's Champions League fixture against Real Madrid.