Saturday, 14th September, 2013
Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri revealed he has already made good on Pep Guardiola's Thank-Me-Later bet over the "monster" defender that is Eric Abidal.
It was under Guardiola that Abidal had, arguably, his best spell at Barcelona, around two surgeries for a liver tumour, while he played just five times under Tito Vilanova before being released.
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Refusing Barcelona's offer of an "ambassadorial role", Abidal's search for game time led him to Monaco, with Ranieri more than happy to sign the Frenchman.
However, Ranieri has now admitted Guardiola had a huge role in Abidal choosing the principality, at a time when several French clubs were battling for his services.
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"I spoke with Guardiola before [Abidal’s] arrival", Ranieri told L'Equipe. "Pep told me: 'Claudio, take him and, in December, you'll say thank you'.
"Two weeks after that I called Pep and told him: 'Listen, I cannot wait for December. I am telling you thank you now.'.
"Eric is a monster – in character, physically, and at all levels. You think about [the problems] he had, and then you see him. He is the first to arrive for training and he continues even after it's finished."
Ranieri further rewarded Abidal's efforts by giving him the captain's armband, with France adding to the joy by calling him up for their recent World Cup qualifiers.
Abidal played the full 90 minutes in both games, with France drawing 0-0 against Georgia and winning 4-2 against Belarus.
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