Eric Abidal underwent his scheduled liver transplant on Tuesday as more than 70,000 fans at Camp Nou paid tribute to the France defender during Barcelona's 4-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish league.
Barcelona Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta told Canal Plus TV that Abidal was in a hospital, undergoing surgery during the game. The 76,041 spectators paid tribute to Abidal after 22 minutes, the number matching his jersey.
"We still don't have any news. We're hoping the doctors tell us something," Zubizarreta said. "We know he's in good hands."
The 32-year-old underwent liver surgery to remove a tumour in March 2011 and returned for the final part of last season. He played this season until last month, before the club said a transplant was necessary.
"We wanted to dedicate (the win) to Abidal and his cousin, Gerard (who donated the liver)," coach Pep Guardiola said.
It was Alexis Sanchez who netted a double as Barcelona closed the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to one point with a 4-0 win over Getafe at the Camp Nou.
Sanchez scored the opening goal on 13 minutes when he accepted a lovely cushioned ball by Lionel Messi to send a shot crashing high into the net for the opening goal.
Messi added the second goal when he played a lovely one-two with Andres Iniesta as he dashed into the visiting box to plant the ball beyond visiting goalkeeper Miguel Moya one minute before the break.
Isaac Cuenca crossed for Sanchez to bury a header from close range on 72 minutes with Pedro doing likewise a couple of minutes later as he nodded into the Getafe net from Messi's free-kick.
Barcelona are one point adrift of Real Madrid, who will hope to regain a four-point advantage when they visit neighbours Atletico on Wednesday night.
Barca trailed Real by 10 points last month, but have been given fresh hope of the title with Jose Mourinho's side dropping points in draws with Malaga, Villarreal and Valencia.
Messi has scored in 14 of the 16 Liga fixtures at the Camp Nou this season. He did not play in the other two matches.
