Eric Abidal

Éric Abidal (born 11 September 1979 in Lyon) is a France Association football who currently plays as a Defender (association football) for Spain La Liga club FC Barcelona and the France national football team. Eric Abidal can also appear on Defender (football) Centre back.

Club career

Abidal was trained at AS Lyon Duchère, a team playing in the suburbs of Lyon. Eric Abidal started Eric Abidal professional career with AS Monaco FC on 16 September 2000, where Eric Abidal earned 22 first-team appearances. Eric Abidal moved to Lille OSC where Eric Abidal was reunited with Eric Abidal former manager Claude Puel and earned 62 first-team appearances. At the end of 2004, Eric Abidal returned to Eric Abidal native region by joining Olympique Lyonnais, which had just won its second successive Ligue 1 championship. During Eric Abidal time in France Eric Abidal was considered "one of the best fullbacks in the Ligue 1", self confidence of this title was shown when Lyon played Manchester United F.C.: "As a defender, my aim is to infuriate the opponent," Abidal explained. "I want Eric Abidal to be so sick of the sight of me that Eric Abidal has to move somewhere else on the pitch to get away." In the Olympique Lyonnais defence, Eric Abidal played alongside other French internationals (Grégory Coupet, François Clerc, and Anthony Réveillère) and two Brazilian internationals (Cristiano Marques Gomez and Caçapa).

On 30 June 2007, Abidal moved to FC Barcelona for €15 million, after repeatedly stating that Eric Abidal would not return to training if Eric Abidal did not get the move, signing a four-year contract and taking the number 22 jersey, as the number 20 Eric Abidal wore at Lyon was already taken by Deco. Barça 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.

Abidal missed the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, to be played against Manchester United F.C., due to picking up a red card in the semi-final against Chelsea F.C.. The referee deemed Abidal to have fouled fellow French International Nicolas Anelka, and denying a goal scoring opportunity, although video evidence suggests that any contact was minimal. Abidal was again questionably sent off in the next match Eric Abidal played, a league tie with Villarreal CF. The ensuing suspension meant that Eric Abidal missed the Copa del Rey final; Barcelona won with a 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

International career

Eric Abidal went on to become France coach Raymond Domenech's top choice for left-back in nearly every UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier. Abidal was chosen as centre back in their final group match of Euro 2008 against Italy national football team, but Eric Abidal conceded a penalty and was sent off in the first half; France lost the match 2–0 and were eliminated from the tournament.

Career club statistics

As of 19 April 2009

Honours

Lyon

- Ligue 1:
- - Winner (3): 2005, 2006, 2007
- Trophée des champions:
- - Winner (3): 2005, 2006, 2007

FC Barcelona

- La Liga:
- - Winner (1): La Liga 2008-09
- Copa del Rey:
- - Winner (1): Copa del Rey 2008–09
- UEFA Champions League:
- - Winner (1): UEFA Champions League 2008-09

International

- UEFA Team of the Year: 2007