The former France international played at centre-back alongside Adriano, the first time the 33-year-old has completed 90 minutes in more than a year, and proved he is a viable option to partner Gerard Pique in the middle of defence in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Bayern Munich.
Abidal's experience, athleticism and heading ability could be crucial against Bayern's fearsome attacking force, which includes his former France team-mate Franck Ribery.
Adriano, who like Abidal normally plays at full-back, was deployed alongside Pique in this month's 1-1 quarter-final second leg draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain and picked up a yellow card, meaning he is suspended for Tuesday's game.
"It's a very happy day for everyone," Barca's assistant coach Jordi Roura, standing in for Tito Vilanova, who is recovering from cancer treatment, told a news conference after the Levante game.
"Abidal completed a full match and he felt very good.
"In footballing terms, I think he played at a very high level and he knew perfectly how to pace himself."
Puyol stepped aside to allow Abidal, who had returned to the team after an initial operation to remove a tumour from his liver, to hoist the Cup in 2011 following Barca's 3-1 victory over Manchester United in London.
"We will evaluate all the players over the next few days," Roura said. "Everyone who is in perfect physical shape has a chance of being in the starting 11 on Tuesday."
