Eric Abidal admits he pushed himself through the pain barrier in order to help France book their place at Euro 2012.
Barca full-back admits to carrying knock through international outing
Eric Abidal admits he pushed himself through the pain barrier in order to help France book their place at Euro 2012.
The Barcelona full-back was carrying a hamstring injury when selected by Les Bleus for their final qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.
He picked up the knocked during a domestic run-out for Barca against Sporting Gijon on 2nd October.
The Catalan giants warned France against taking any risks with Abidal in a crucial qualification double-header that also included a meeting with Albania.
Laurent Blanc rested the 32-year-old for the first game, but played him for the full 90 minutes against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Difficult match
Abidal concedes his club boss Pep Guardiola would not have been happy had he known how much pain he was in, but claims he was happy to put his body on the line for the good of the French cause.
"I'd rather say how I feel physically right now. Guardiola will not be happy if he hears how I felt," he said in
Marca.
"It was a very difficult match against players like Edin Dzeko and the coach needed us all to be 100 per cent. I felt that I had to play. I had a bit of pain, but it went well overall."
Abidal came through his international outing unscathed and is expected to be back to full fitness by the time Barca face Racing Santander on Saturday.
