The 30-year-old, who was a surprise inclusion in the team which beat Inter Milan 2-0 on Tuesday night after going down with swine flu last week, was already committed to the Spanish champions until 2011 but has now prolonged that deal on improved terms.

A club statement read: "Eric Abidal will remain with FC Barcelona until 30th June 2012, at least.

"On Wednesday, he extended and improved his current deal which lasted until 2011.

"His buyout clause has been kept at 90 million euros."

Barca were facing possible elimination heading into Tuesday night's fixtures. A home defeat to Group F leaders Inter combined with a Rubin Kazan victory over Dynamo Kiev in the evening's earlier match would have sent the defending champions tumbling out.

However, Pep Guardiola's side produced a classy display to see off the runaway Serie A pacesetters thanks to early goals from Gerard Pique and Pedro Rodriguez, and they are now two points clear at the top of the standings and close to a place in the last 16.

And the feat was all the more impressive for the fact it was achieved without two star men in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi.

Guardiola nevertheless praised the pair for "their willingness and their desire to play a part".

Regarding Messi's chances of starting 'El Clasico' against Real Madrid on Sunday, Guardiola said on the club's website: "I'm optimistic - if there's any chance, he'll be there."

Abidal, meanwhile, claimed last night's win over Inter was the team's best performance of the season.

He said: "We've played very well and we've won. We have high-quality players and great replacements who can help a lot. We've done our best work of the season."

As well as Ibrahimovic and Messi, Yaya Toure was also missing having contracted swine flu, while defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy was ineligible.

The victory will also have boosted confidence ahead of this weekend's clash with Madrid.

Manuel Pellegrini's team travel to Barcelona having replaced the reigning Primera Division champions in top spot last weekend.

A 1-0 win over Racing Santander, combined with Barca's 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, saw the capital club climb from second place to a point above their arch rivals.

Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said: "For the week that we have, the win (over Inter) was very important. We have gained a lot of confidence and morale.

"We played pretty spectacular football."