Eric Abidal has said that he was not offered a new contract by Barcelona because they considered it too risky.

The Frenchman, 33, was released by Barca at the end of the season just weeks after he made his comeback from a liver transplant.

Despite his Camp Nou departure, Abidal is determined to carry on playing for at least another couple of seasons.

"They considered it a risk that something could happen to me and did not want the responsibility," Abidal told El Mundo.

"But I will continue playing while my doctors give me permission. I think it is the right time to leave, I will try to reach 35 before I retire."

Abidal made 125 appearances for Barcelona after joining from Lyon in 2007.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre