The bust-up between Abidal and Lionel Messi aroused the vigilance of the major European giants. Although the Argentina star has stated that he wants to stay at Barcelona, in fact, the renewal negotiations have not yet started.
Here we list the priorities Messi could choose if he walks away from Camp Nou.
Inter
Let's be honest, we've missed the rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the past 18 months.
The pair continue to battle it out over individual trophies and records, but the whole world wants to see them go head-to-head on the pitch as often as possible.
Juventus are top of the Serie A table once again, and nearest rivals Inter are inching ever closer to the league leaders in terms of star quality on the pitch.
Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen are hoping to fire Nerazzurri to long-awaited title success, but if they fail, who better than Messi to step in and end Ronaldo's monopoly in Italy?
Let battle recommence.
Juventus
But on the other hand, we have already enjoyed the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry for more than 10 years. What if the two GOATs play together?
I bet you all had imagined scenes of Messi and Ronaldo playing together:
"Messi has the ball at his feet, Messi dribbles past one defender, and another... he finds Ronaldo in the box, Ronaldo jumps into the sky - what a thumping header that is! Oh my word!"
Ronaldo has just turned 35 years old yesterday and we all know that they are both at the end of their primes, so why not have the best use of it with some magical combinations?
Manchester City
Time for a plucky underdog story. This brave little club has slowly but steadily built its way up to becoming a serious challenger for the Champions League trophy, but alas, they have fallen just short of the mark on numerous occasions.
Pep Guardiola literally worships his former player Messi, and Manchester City could probably scrape together the pennies to pay his significant wages.
And which is the one trophy Messi has been lusting after more than any other in recent years? That's right - the Champions League.
It's very possible that either of these clubs could break their European curse this season and lift the trophy, but with Man City facing Real Madrid, and Barca becoming Europe's bottlers, it seems unlikely.
Get the band back together Pep, and bring the big trophy home hand-in-hand with Leo.
Borussia Dortmund
Just as Ronaldo joined Serie A powerhouse Juventus two summers ago, Messi could end up at German giants Bayern Munich. But wouldn't it be more fun if he actually took on a challenge and signed for the fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund?
Dortmund are known for their glorious attacking football, and while their defending leaves a lot to be desired, the sheer volume of goals they score more than makes up for it.
A forward line of Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi would simply bring tears of joy to our eyes. The Barcelona legend could help Der BVB break Bayern's domestic stranglehold, and show Ronaldo just how it's done.
Newell's Old Boys
Nothing like a romantic return home to end the perfect fairytale. Newell's Old Boys was the club where Messi spent his early years learning his trade, and the Argentine side were also his boyhood team.
The superstar left Argentina to make his name in Europe, and with that, he was gone from the South American shores forever.
But, what about a dramatic return to see out his career at the team who made him fall in love with the sport in the first place?
Now that's a happy ending.
Inter Miami
David Beckham's very own football club will take to the MLS for the first time in 2020. Just imagine how crazy should the people be if Messi lands in America to play for Becks' team.
For a long time, it has been suggested Messi will finish his career back at Newell's Old Boys in Argentina.
So what's to say he won't have a stopover in Miami on the way back?
His current contract runs out in 2021 and reports have hinted Messi is - unsurprisingly - on Inter Miami's wishlist.
Miami and much of Florida has a high Hispanic and South American population, making a move for the Argentina international a logical move in terms of pulling in new fans to the club.
For Messi, this may be an interesting experience and challenge.