In One Shot: Puyol lets Abidal lift the cup first

Two giants of the football world, Barcelona and Manchester United clashed in the 2010-2011 season’s Champions League final at Wembley.

Goals from Pedro Rodriguez, Lionel Messi and David Villa helped the Catalans beat United 3-1. Manchester United’s only goal was scored by Wayne Rooney.

Although Messi was declared Man of the Match, other players were heroes on that day. This edition of Mediamax Sport’s In One Shot series tells the story.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol didn’t play because of a knee injury and passed the captain’s armband to Xavi Hernandez. However, Pep Guardiola substituted Puyol in the 88th minute. Xavi Alonso immediately returned the armband to Puyol, conceding the right to lift the cup as well.

However, Barcelona proved it wasn’t a regular club and surprised the world with an unexpected gesture.

The club’s inimitable captain passed both the armband and the cup to Eric Abidal. That’s was his surprise for the Frenchman.

“Eric had no doubts he would get the armband. He deserved to be the first to lift the cup more than anyone, especially after everything he went through. I came up with this idea several weeks prior to the final, but I didn’t have a certain plan. When Xavi said I should lift the cup, I knew at once what I had to do. It was a special moment for me, a legendary moment, you could say. It showed why football is the most beautiful game,” said Puyol.

Abidal was diagnosed with liver cancer in March 2011, but thankfully, he had a successful operation and recovered quickly. Soon after, he was back in the squad.

“I was stunned by Puyol’s act. I cannot describe what I felt in that moment, I just lost the ability to speak. I am so, so grateful to him,” noted Abidal.