Dani Alves has slammed his club Barcelona for their treatment of cancer survivor Eric Abidal, who returned to Monaco on a free transfer this summer.

Abidal regained full fitness following a liver transplant in April but was deemed surplus to requirements at Camp Nou - much to Alves' annoyance.

"Abidal's exit was a very unpleasant surprise. The decision to release him really annoyed me after all he'd gone through and done," the Brazil international told RAC1.

"I wanted him to continue at Barca after all that had happened and how he fought his way back. Yet when he got back he wasn't given a new deal.

"If Barcelona are more than a club, that is for the support they gave him during his recovery... The entire situation leaves a bit of a bittersweet taste, though.

"I just wish that football was a bit more fair. Eric will continue to be an example to follow for me."

Alves also expressed disappointment at Thiago Alcantara's "brave" move to Bayern Munich.

He added: "Thiago is my friend and I know that he wanted to play more. I think that he left too early as he was still young and becoming more important, but he made a brave decision."