Eric Abidal

Eric Abidal
Abidal training with Barcelona in 2008
Personal information
Full name Eric Sylvain Abidal
Date of birth (1979-09-11) 11 September 1979
Place of birth Saint-Genis-Laval, France
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Left-back, centre-back
Team information
Current team
Sporting director for Al-Wasl
Youth career
Lyon Duchère
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2000 Lyon Duchère
2000–2001 Monaco B 8 (0)
2000–2002 Monaco 22 (0)
2002–2004 Lille 62 (0)
2004–2007 Lyon 76 (2)
2007–2013 Barcelona 125 (2)
2013–2014 Monaco 26 (0)
2014 Olympiacos 9 (0)
Total 328 (4)
International career
2004–2013 France 67 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up2006 Germany
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Eric Sylvain Abidal (French pronunciation: [eʁik abidal]; born 11 September 1979) is a French former professional footballer who played as a left-back or centre-back.

He played mainly for Lyon and Barcelona, totalling 18 trophies with both teams, including two Champions Leagues with the latter. His later career was marred by a liver tumour, which resulted in a transplant.

A France international for nine years, Abidal represented the nation in two World Cupsfinishing second in 2006 – and Euro 2008.