Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has labelled team-mate Eric Abidal as 'an example for the whole world'.
Abidal played 90 minutes in Barca's 1-0 win over Levante on Saturday, the first match he has started since undergoing a liver transplant last April.
The former France international was one of the best players on the pitch at Camp Nou, much to the astonishment of Fabregas.
Fabregas told Barca TV: "I went and told him after the game, 'You're the greatest.' He was spectacular.
"He played as if he had never stopped playing. He's an example for the whole world and we hope he carries on like this because he'll help us a lot for the rest of the season."
Fabregas is hoping Abidal can play a key role in Barca's eagerly awaited Champions League semi-final first-leg clash against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
"They're really strong on the wings and their forward line, for example (Mario) Mandzukic and Mario Gomez, is on fire," the former Arsenal captain said.
"And I really like (Thomas) Mueller. I believe they have great team but so have we. It'll be an exciting tie.
"We're going to have a tough time in both matches. If we have possession, we have to try and finish off the moves.
"They may not play such a counter-attacking game as Real Madrid, for example, but they know how to and if (Arjen) Robben and (Franck) Ribery get the space they can do you a lot of damage."
