Eric Abidal

Éric Abidal
  (Redirected from Eric Abidal)
Éric Abidal
Éric Abidal - 001.jpg
Abidal in training with Barcelona in 2008
Personal information
Full name Éric Sylvain Abidal[1]
Date of birth 11 September 1979 (age 34)
Place of birth Lyon, France
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Monaco
Number 22
Youth career
Lyon Duchère
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1999–2000 Lyon Duchère
2000–2001 Monaco B 8 (0)
2000–2002 Monaco 22 (0)
2002–2004 Lille 62 (0)
2004–2007 Lyon 76 (0)
2007–2013 Barcelona 125 (0)
2013– Monaco 5 (0)
National team‡
2004– France 64 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 16 September 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:00, 11 September 2013 (UTC)
Éric Sylvain Abidal (French pronunciation: ​[eʁik abidal]; born 11 September 1979) is a French professional footballer who plays for AS Monaco FC as a left or central defender.
In his career he played mainly for Lyon and Barcelona, winning 21 major titles the two teams combined, including two Champions League trophies with the latter.
A French international in the 2000s, Abidal represented the nation in two World Cups – finishing second in 2006 – and Euro 2008.
Contents  [hide]
1 Club career
1.1 Early career
1.2 Lyon
1.3 Barcelona
1.3.1 Health issues
1.4 Monaco return
2 International career
3 Honours
3.1 Club
3.2 International
3.3 Individual
4 Statistics
4.1 Club
4.2 International
5 Personal life
6 References
7 External links
Club career[edit source | editbeta]

Early career[edit source | editbeta]
Abidal started playing with AS Lyon Duchère, an amateur team in the suburbs. He started his professional career with AS Monaco FC,[2] making his Ligue 1 debut on 16 September 2000 in a 3–0 home win against Toulouse FC but only appearing in 22 league matches over the course of two full seasons.
Abidal transferred to fellow Ligue 1 club Lille OSC for 2002–03,[3] reuniting with former manager Claude Puel[2] and being first-choice during his spell. Subsequently, he returned to his native region and joined Olympique Lyonnais.[3]
Lyon[edit source | editbeta]
During his later years in France, where he won three consecutive national championships – of the seven the team won – Abidal's confidence was shown when Lyon played Manchester United and he was in charge of marking Cristiano Ronaldo: "As a defender, my aim is to infuriate the opponent," he explained. "I want him to be so sick of the sight of me that he has to move somewhere else on the pitch to get away."[4] At L'OL his defensive teammates included François Clerc, Grégory Coupet and Anthony Réveillère, as well as Brazilian internationals Caçapa and Cris.[5][6]
On 10 November 2004 Abidal scored the first goal of his career, in a 2–3 loss at former club Lille for the season's Coupe de la Ligue round-of-32. As a result of his exploit, his parents agreed to get married after a 35-year union.[7]
Abidal missed the first months of the 2005–06 campaign after fracturing his metatarsus in a friendly game with Once Caldas.[8] He still managed to appear in 15 matches as Lyon won its fifth national championship in a row[9] (the second with the player).
Barcelona[edit source | editbeta]


Abidal (center) with Jeffrén Suárez (left) and Bojan Krkić during a training session with Barcelona.
On 29 June 2007, Abidal signed a four-year contract with FC Barcelona for €9 million, after repeatedly stating that he would not return to training with Lyon if was not allowed to move.[10] He was given the number 22 jersey, as the number 20 he wore at Lyon was already taken by Deco; club president Joan Laporta also mentioned that his contract contained a €90 million release clause, and that Lyon would receive an extra €500,000 if Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League in any of the following four seasons.[11]
Abidal made his La Liga debut on 26 August 2007 in a 0–0 away draw against Racing de Santander,[12][13] and completed his first season with 30 games as Barça finished in third place in the league.[14] He missed the 2009 Champions League Final against Manchester United after picking up a red card in the semi-final against Chelsea: the referee deemed Abidal to have fouled countryman Nicolas Anelka and denying a scoring opportunity, although video evidence suggested that any contact was minimal;[15] again through suspension[16] he missed the campaign's Copa del Rey final,[17] as the team won the treble.[18]
In 2009–10 Abidal continued to be the starter for the Pep Guardiola-led side, even after the arrival of Maxwell from Internazionale. On 5 January 2011 he scored his first goal for Barcelona, netting at the San Mamés Stadium in the Spanish Cup round-of-16 second leg (1–1 away draw, away goals rule qualification).[19]


Abidal during the 2009 Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi
On 18 January 2012 Abidal scored his second goal for Barcelona, also in the domestic cup, helping the visitors come from behind to win it 2–1 at Real Madrid (eventually 4–3 on aggregate).[20] Early into the following month he renewed his contract with the club, keeping him at the Camp Nou until 30 June 2013.[21] On 30 May 2013, it was announced that the club would not renew his contract.[22][23]
Health issues[edit source | editbeta]
On 15 March 2011, Barcelona announced that Abidal had been diagnosed with a tumour in his liver, and the player underwent surgery two days later.[24] Citing privacy concerns as wished by the player, the club did not release additional information in regards to his condition.[25] In response to the announcement, players and fans around the world dedicated well wishes to him on various social networking service and sports websites.[26][27]
Before their round-of-16 match in the Champions League, both Real Madrid and Olympique Lyonnais players took the pitch wearing Ánimo Abidal (Get Well Abidal) t-shirts, with the same message being displayed on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium's scoreboards, in a show of support and solidarity.[28][29] During Barcelona's match with Getafe CF on 19 March 2011, the fans at the stadium clapped for the entire 22nd minute (the player's shirt number).[30] On 28 May 2011, in the Champions League Final against Manchester United, he played the full 90 minutes of Barcelona's 3–1 triumph and, in a gesture to mark his recovery, Carles Puyol handed him his captain's armband and allowed him to lift the trophy in front of 85,000 people at Wembley Stadium in London.[31]
On 15 March 2012, it was announced that Abidal would have to undergo a liver transplant because of problems which were unresolved with the previous operation.[32] On 10 April he underwent surgery, with his cousin Gérard being the donor;[33] on the same day Barcelona beat Getafe 4–0, and the victory was dedicated to the player in the post-game press conference.[34][35] It was later revealed that Abidal's close friend, Daniel Alves, offered him part of his liver for the transplant, but was unable to because it would have affected the Brazilian's game.[36]
On 21 May 2012 Abidal was released from hospital to resume the recovery process at his home,[37] and doctors revealed that he could still play football in the near future if he wished.[38] He returned to training in the Pyrenees in October 2012[39] but, the following month, he stated that his priority was a return to full health rather than resuming his football career.[40]
On 18 December 2012, Abidal was given the green light to start training again,[41] and he returned to active in January of the following year. On 19 March he played his first match since February 2012, featuring 65 minutes for FC Barcelona B in a friendly with FC Istres played at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.[42]
On 6 April 2013 Abidal returned to official play, replacing Gerard Piqué for the last 20 minutes of a 5–0 home win against RCD Mallorca.[43][44][45] Two weeks later he played the full 90 minutes for the first time since his comeback, featuring in a 1–0 home success over Levante UD.[46]
Monaco return[edit source | editbeta]
On 8 July 2013, 33-year-old Abidal returned to Monaco after an absence of 11 years, signing for one season with the option of a further one.[47] His number 22 jersey in Barcelona was taken by Dani Alves[48]. According to Alves' Twitter, he took up the number in honour of his best friend, and his consideration for the club when Alves offered to donate his liver to Abidal.
International career[edit source | editbeta]

Abidal earned 64 caps for the French national team,[49] his debut coming on 18 August 2004 in a friendly with Bosnia and Herzegovina.[4][49] He was selected for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, playing all the games and minutes in the country's runner-up campaign as left back, with the exception of France's match against Togo, from which he was suspended[50] after earning two yellow cards in the first two games.[51][52] In the final against Italy, he scored his penalty shootout attempt.[53]
Again under Raymond Domenech, Abidal was first-choice during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. In the final stages he appeared against Italy as a centre-back, but conceded a penalty and was sent off in the first half of an eventual 0–2 loss and group stage exit.[54] He played against Uruguay and Mexico in the 2010 World Cup again at centre-back,[55][56] opting out of the next game against host country South Africa[57] as the French side again left the competition after only three matches.[58]
Honours[edit source | editbeta]



Abidal signing autographs at Camp Nou.
Club[edit source | editbeta]
Lyon
Ligue 1: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07
Trophée des champions: 2005, 2006, 2007
Coupe de la Ligue: Runner-up 2006–07
Barcelona
La Liga: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12; Runner-up 2010–11
Supercopa de España: 2009, 2010, 2011; Runner-up 2012
UEFA Champions League: 2008–09, 2010–11
UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011
International[edit source | editbeta]
FIFA World Cup: Runner-up 2006
Individual[edit source | editbeta]
UEFA Team of the Year: 2007
LFP Defender of the Year: 2011
Statistics[edit source | editbeta]

Club[edit source | editbeta]
As of 1 June 2013[59]
Club Season League Cup[60] Europe[61] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Monaco B 2000–01 8 0 - - - - 8 0
Total 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Monaco 2000–01 8 0 - - 1 0 9 0
2001–02 14 0 3 0 - - 17 0
Total 22 0 3 0 1 0 26 0
Lille 2002–03 27 0 3 0 - - 30 0
2003–04 35 0 3 1 - - 38 0
Total 62 0 6 0 0 0 68 0
Lyon 2004–05 29 0 5 1 7 0 41 1
2005–06 14 0 2 0 6 0 22 0
2006–07 33 0 4 1 7 0 44 1
Total 76 0 11 2 20 0 107 2
Barcelona 2007–08 30 0 6 0 10 0 46 0
2008–09 25 0 2 0 5 0 32 0
2009–10 17 0 4 0 10 0 31 0
2010–11 26 0 7 1 8 0 41 1
2011–12 22 0 7 1 9 0 38 1
2012–13 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Total 125 0 26 2 42 0 193 2
Career totals 293 0 46 4 63 0 402 4
International[edit source | editbeta]
As of match played 29 February 2012[62]
National team Year Apps Goals
France 2004 1 0
2005 3 0
2006 15 0
2007 12 0
2008 9 0
2009 5 0
2010 6 0
2011 9 0
2012 1 0
2013 1
Total 62 0
Personal life[edit source | editbeta]

Abidal married former gymnast Hayet Kebir in 2007, fathering daughters Méliana and Camélia.[63][64][65] After his wedding, he converted to Islam.[63]
References[edit source | editbeta]

Jump up ^ "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 – List of players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
^ Jump up to: a b "Graft not glitz defines Abidal's Monaco memories". UEFA.com. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
^ Jump up to: a b "Barcelona star Abidal returns to training after liver transplant". CNN. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
^ Jump up to: a b French Focus: Eric Abidal (Lyon); at Channel4
Jump up ^ "Milan 3–1 Lyon (Agg: 3–1)". The Guardian. 4 April 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Roma 0–0 Lyon". BBC Sport. 21 February 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Abidal punishment". UEFA.com. 19 November 2004. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
Jump up ^ "Lyon learn worst about Abidal". UEFA.com. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
Jump up ^ "Bordeaux slip gives Lyon fifth straight title". The Guardian. 17 April 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Abidal completes move to Barcelona". CNN. 29 June 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2007.[dead link]
Jump up ^ "Abidal joins Barcelona". FIFA.com. 29 June 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
Jump up ^ "The first squad list". FC Barcelona. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "`Fantastic Four' fail to fire for Barca". The Standard. 28 August 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Murcia 3–5 Barcelona: Dos Santos hits treble". ESPN Soccernet. 17 May 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Iniesta's late heartbreaker". ESPN Soccernet. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
Jump up ^ "Llorente the party pooper". ESPN Soccernet. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
Jump up ^ "One title closer to the treble". ESPN Soccernet. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Guardiola praises Barca bravery". BBC Sport. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Sin magia también se puede en San Mamés" [Magic not needed in San Mamés] (in Spanish). El Mundo. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
Jump up ^ "Barca fight back at the Bernabeu". ESPN Soccernet. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
Jump up ^ "Abidal, hasta 2013: "Quiero seguir haciendo historia"" [Abidal, until 2013: "I want to continue making history"] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
Jump up ^ "Abidal: "I’m going and I’ll definitely be back"". FC Barcelona. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
Jump up ^ "Barcelona release Eric Abidal after his return from liver transplant". The Guardian. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
Jump up ^ "Eric Abidal to undergo surgery after Barcelona full-back diagnosed with a liver tumour". Mail Online. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Abidal diagnosed with tumour on liver". FC Barcelona. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
Jump up ^ "Barca's Abidal set for surgery on tumour". ESPN Soccernet. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
Jump up ^ "El mundo del deporte se vuelca con Abidal" [Sports world supports Abidal] (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
Jump up ^ "'Ánimo Abidal', mensaje de ánimo en el Bernabéu" ['Ánimo Abidal', message of support at the Bernabéu] (in Spanish). Marca. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
Jump up ^ "Abidal still climbing mountains as France face Spain". Yahoo!/Eurosport. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Eric Abidal looks for a repeat of heart-warming recovery as football family comes together again". The Independent. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Abidal lifts the 4th trophy". FC Barcelona. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
Jump up ^ "Barcelona defender Eric Abidal to have a liver transplant". BBC Sport. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
Jump up ^ "Barcelona defender Eric Abidal recovering well after liver transplant surgery". The Daily Telegraph. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Barcelona dedicate win to Abidal". ESPN Soccernet. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
Jump up ^ "Guardiola dedicates Getafe win to Eric Abidal". Xinhua. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Daniel Alves offered to donate liver to Éric Abidal". inside World Soccer. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
Jump up ^ Abidal leaves hospital; ESPN Soccernet, 21 May 2012
Jump up ^ "Abidal could play on". The Sun. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
Jump up ^ "Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has begun training again following his liver transplant earlier this year". Sky Sports. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Abidal: Returning to football not my objective". Goal.com. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Barcelona's Abidal given the green light to play football again". Goal.com. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
Jump up ^ "Éric Abidal plays first match since transplant surgery". Inside World Soccer. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
Jump up ^ "Fabregas fires Barca to victory". ESPN FC. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Éric Abidal plays first competitive match since liver transplant". Inside World Soccer. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Abidal: "Gracias a mi primo, sin él no estaría aquí"" [Abidal: "Thanks to my cousin, i would not be here without him"] (in Spanish). Marca. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Below-par Barca leave it late". ESPN FC. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Le retour d'Eric Abidal" [The return of Eric Abidal] (in French). Monaco's official website. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
Jump up ^ http://soccerly.com/article/VanjaBojanovic/dani-alves-offered-to-donate-his-liver-toabidal Dani Alves offered to donate his liver to Abidal
^ Jump up to: a b "French football federation invite Abidal as guest for Sweden clash". Goal.com. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Togo 0–2 France – Stats/action". BBC Sport. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "France 0–0 Switzerland". BBC Sport. 13 June 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "France 1–1 South Korea". BBC Sport. 18 June 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Italy 1–1 France (aet)". BBC Sport. 9 July 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "France 0–2 Italy". BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "World Cup 2010: Uruguay v France – as it happened". The Guardian. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "France v Mexico: as it happened". The Daily Telegraph. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "World Cup 2010: Eric Abidal chose not to play against South Africa – France coach Raymond Domenech". Goal.com. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "World Cup 2010: South Africa beat red-faced France and both bow out". The Guardian. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
Jump up ^ Éric Abidal at ESPN Soccernet
Jump up ^ Includes Supercopa de España
Jump up ^ Includes UEFA Supercup
Jump up ^ Éric Abidal at National-Football-Teams.com
^ Jump up to: a b "2010 FIFA World Cup: Ranking the Top 20 WAGs of the Soccer Elite – 16. Hayet Abidal". Bleacher Report. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Euro 2012: Wives and girlfriends – France: Hayet & Éric Abidal". MSN News. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
Jump up ^ "Femmes de footballeurs: qui sont-elles? – Hayet et Eric Abidal" [Footballers' wives: who are they? – Hayet and Eric Abidal] (in French). Elle. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
External links[edit source | editbeta]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Éric Abidal
Barcelona official profile
L'Équipe stats (French)
Éric Abidal French league stats at LFP.fr (French)
BDFutbol profile
Éric Abidal at National-Football-Teams.com
Éric Abidal – FIFA competition record
2010 FIFA World Cup profile
Éric Abidal – UEFA competition record
Transfermarkt profile
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