I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such a competitive team each season. Choosing the right club at the right time has been crucial to my journey. Initially, when Pep Guardiola arrived, things were a bit complicated, and I even considered leaving. However, he chose to keep me, and I am grateful for the trust he placed in me. He is a great man and a brilliant tactician who played a significant role in Barcelona’s success in 2009.
On Lionel Messi, he is an incredibly humble individual who is passionate about football. Winning four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards speaks volumes about his talent, and he is undoubtedly the best in the world.
The memory that will stay with me for life is the day I signed on June 7, 2007, and today when I announced my departure.
Realizing that I have become an example for those facing illness is humbling. Staying positive, fighting hard, and being fortunate are essential. I fought to be with my wife and witness my children grow up, never contemplating the possibility of death.
After the relapse, I faced the challenging prospect of transplantation sooner than expected. The experience was much more difficult, but the support of my wife, family, friends, and medical professionals made a significant difference.
When Xavi and Puyol presented me with the Champions League trophy in 2011, I thought of my father and considered it a triumph over life’s challenges. Believing in God and facing tests with a positive mindset has been my approach. If faced with another relapse, I will fight just as hard.
The overwhelming messages of support, including letters from presidents of Real Madrid, Lyon, Montpellier, and football authorities like Blatter and Platini, as well as hospital visits from PSG’s president, Nasser al-Kheilaïfi, have been extraordinary.
