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#3 Eric Abidal
Eric Abidal embodies the word “warrior”. The Frenchman, one of the most highly rated defenders to come out of France in the last decade was diagnosed with cancer in the liver and had to undergo a liver transplant. But nothing could stand in the between him and his desire to again cross the white line and onto the hallowed turf.
Abidal continued playing whilst having issues with his liver, having undergone initial surgery in March, 2011. In fact it was Abidal who was passed on the captain's armband so that he may lift the Champions League trophy later that year. However, a few months on, a liver transplant was required for the player to resolve issues that remained unresolved after the initial procedures.
He continued to get healthier with time. By December of 2012, he was given the green light to resume training. His zeal was unmatched and not even a refusal by Barcelona to hand him a new contract could deter him from making a comeback at the highest level.
In 2013, Abidal signed for Monaco and quickly won back his place at the heart of the defence in Didier Deschamps’ French side.
