Éric Abidal

Profile Football Stars | Éric Abidal | Abidal was Trained at Lyon-Duchère, a team playing in the suburbs of Lyon. In the Lyon defense, he played alongside other French internationals (Grégory Coupet, François Clerc, and Anthony Réveillère) and two Brazilian internationals (Cris and Caçapa). On 17 January 2007, Abidal scored the first goal of his career in a 1-0 victory over Le Mans Lyon on a 2006-07 Coupe de la Ligue semi-final match. Barca president Joan Laporta also Mentioned That Abidal's contract would contain a € 90 million release clause, and that 'Lyon would receive an extra € 500,000 if Barcelona win the Champions League in any of the next four seasons.

 

On 5 January 2011, Abidal scored his first goal with Barcelona at the San Mames Stadium in a Copa del Rey match against Athletic Bilbao. On 16 January 2012, Abidal signed a renewed contract keeping him at the Camp Nou until 30 June 2013. He scored his second goal with Barcelona and the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final match.

Abidal has earned 60 caps with the French national team, having earned his debut cap on 18 August 2004. Despite Numerous injuries and disagreements with FIFA in the past few seasons, Abidal played on the French team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, starting at left back and playing every minute of the tournament with the exception of France's match against Togo, from the which he was suspended after earning two yellow cards over the previous two games. Mikael Silvestre filled Abidal's left back slot for that game. When France and Italy were forced into a penalty shootout in the finals, he was placed third in France's five shooters and scored, but since it was a penalty shootout, it is not recognised as a goal, and Abidal has yet to score for France properly .

On 15 March 2011, Barcelona Announced That Abidal was diagnosed with a tumor on his liver. In response to the announcement, players and fans from all alike over the world dedicated well wishes for the ill player on multiple social networking sites and sports websites.  During Barcelona's match against Getafe CF on 19 March, the fans at the stadium clapped for the entire 22nd minute, the which is Abidal's shirt number for Barcelona, as a respectful moment for him. On 28 May 2011, Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 to win the Champions League Final. Abidal played the whole game. On 15 March 2012, it was Announced That Abidal would have to undergo a liver transplant Because of his previous liver problems.

Personal information
Full name Éric Abidal Sylvain
Date of birth 11 September 1979 (age 32)
Place of birth Lyon, France
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Defender

Club information
Current club Barcelona
Number 22

Youth career
1999-2000 Lyon Duchère

Senior career
years Team
2000-2002 Monaco 25 (0)
2002-2004 Lille 60 (0)
2004-2007 Lyon 76 (0)
2007-Barcelona 120 (0)

National team
2004-France 61 (0)

Honours

Club

Lyon
     Ligue 1: 3
         2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07
     Trophée des Champions: 3
         2005, 2006, 2007

International
     France
         FIFA World Cup:
             Runner-up: 2006

Barcelona
     La Liga: 3
         2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
     Copa del Rey: 1
         2008-09
     Supercopa de España: 3
         2009, 2010, 2011
     UEFA Champions League: 2
         2008-09, 2010-11
     UEFA Super Cup: 2
         2009, 2011
     FIFA Club World Cup: 2
         2009, 2011

Individual
     UEFA Team of the Year: 1
         2007
     LFP Defender of the Year Awards: 1
         2011