Athens (AFP) – Eric Abidal announced Friday the arrest of his playing career, marked by the vertices of a final at the 2006 World Cup with France and won many titles with Barça, but also by the strike training in 2010 and his fight against serious disease.
“I took the official decision to stop my career here at Olympiakos,” for “personal reasons” said defender aged 35.
Speaking of his future, he first want answered “take a vacation and take care of his family” and “after thinking about what to do in the future. “
Abidal nevertheless acknowledged receiving” two proposals. ” One from Olympiakos, the other from Barcelona, according to Spanish media, integrating the organizational structure of Barça. “Indeed there two years I had a request for Barcelona, but actually there is no contract offer,” he clarified, however.
His dedication to the club Catalan, which was “més que un club” (“more than a club”, his slogan) showing full support when he had to fight the disease in two operations for a liver tumor, is this capacity as strong as blood ties that bind a family.
Two images spontaneously revert to the time to discuss the career of “Abi”. There is precisely that which he raises the first “big ears Cup” after the final of the Champions League won in 2011 with Barcelona against Manchester United (3-1), only two months after its first operation
-. Scandal in Knysna –
The other turning point in his fourteen years at the highest level is 20 June 2010 in Knysna. Locked in the bus with the rest of the France team, Abidal knocks on the window of the vehicle to urge the driver to leave the Pezula Resort ground. The biggest scandal in the history of the Blues is on and the Lyonnais will worsen a little more his case by refusing to play the last match of the first round against South Africa.
Abidal will finally absolved by the FFF, unlike other fault. But this sad episode long stick to his skin, tarnishing a course in Blue hitherto impeccable with apotheosis as the World Cup in Germany, concluded bitterly in defeat on penalties against Italy in the final.
At the time, is an international reference Abidal at left-back position. Arrived in Lyon in 2004 from Lille (2002-2004) after a first pass in Monaco (2000-2002), he was one of the major players in the Lyon domination of French football, winning three titles L1, before signing with Barcelona in 2007.
His play based on technique and speed, and versatility (left side, axial) blend perfectly with the blaugrana culture and it will be until 2013 all the conquests (2 Champions League, four Ligas, 2 Super Cups Europe, 2 World Club Cup, two Spanish Cups, three Spanish Super).
In France team, after the departure of Raymond Domenech in 2010 he remained a part player with Laurent Blanc, despite its label of “leader” of the strike. But the disease will challenge everything
-. Liver Transplantation –
In March 2011, Abidal is operated liver and his career seems open. It is wrong to know the strength and courage player, returned to competition on 3 May with the final of the C1 line of sight.
During his convalescence, support the testimonies abound and applauds the Camp Nou on 22 minutes (as his jersey number) of each game in his absence. This shows the emotion caused by his establishment May 28, 2011 at Wembley.
In March 2012, Abidal to undergo liver transplantation who breaks his hopes of Euro in Poland and Ukraine. It replays this time almost a year later, but his contract is not renewed by Barca.
The homecoming in Monaco (2013-14) will not illusion, not more than his recall to the surprise team in France by Didier Deschamps. The dam go to Ukraine (2-0) for the qualification to the World November 15, 2013 will be his final appearance in Blue (67 selections), the World Cup in Brazil ultimate mirage.
One last Freelancing six months Olympiakos will not change the case. The now waiting for a new life in Spain, Greece or elsewhere.
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