It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No one among the people has done me a greater favour, with the blessing of his family and his wealth, than Abu Bakr. Were I to take a khalil (intimate friend), I would have taken him, but (what remains) is the brotherhood of Islam, or of faith."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب العين / 11924