Jump to content

Eric Abidal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Éric Abidal)

Eric Abidal
Abidal training with Barcelona in 2008
Personal information
Full name Eric Sylvain Abidal[1]
Date of birth (1979-09-11) 11 September 1979 (age 45)[2]
Place of birth Saint-Genis-Laval, France
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[3]
Position(s) Left-back, centre-back
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-up 2006 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 Cups – finishing second in 2006 – and Euro 2008.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Born in Saint-Genis-Laval, Lyon Metropolis to Martiniquais parents[3] Abidal started playing with AS Lyon Duchère, an amateur team in the suburbs. He started his professional career with AS Monaco FC,[4] 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.[5]

Abidal transferred to fellow top-division club Lille OSC for 2002–03,[6] reuniting with former manager Claude Puel[4] and being first-choice during his spell. Subsequently, he returned to his native region and joined Olympique Lyonnais.[6]

Lyon

[edit]

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."[7] His defensive teammates at L'OL included François Clerc, Grégory Coupet and Anthony Réveillère, as well as Brazilian internationals Caçapa and Cris.[8][9]

On 10 November 2004, Abidal scored the first goal of his career, in a 3–2 loss at former club Lille in the second round of the Coupe de la Ligue. As a result of his exploit, his parents agreed to get married after a 35-year union.[10]

Abidal missed the first months of the 2005–06 campaign after fracturing his metatarsus in a friendly game with Once Caldas.[11] He still managed to appear in 15 matches as Lyon won its fifth national championship in a row (the second with the player).[12]

Barcelona

[edit]
Abidal (far right) playing against Real Madrid.
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 he was not allowed to move.[13] 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.[14]

Abidal made his La Liga debut on 26 August 2007 in a 0–0 away draw against Racing de Santander,[15][16] and ended his first season with 30 games as Barça finished in third place in the league.[17] 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;[18] again through suspension[19] he also did not dress up for the decisive match of the Copa del Rey,[20] as the team won the treble.[21]

In 2009–10, Abidal continued to be the starter for the Pep Guardiola-led side, even after the arrival of Maxwell from Inter Milan. He scored his first goal on 5 January 2011, netting at the San Mamés Stadium in the Spanish Cup last-16 second leg (1–1 away draw, away goals rule qualification).[22]

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).[23] He renewed his contract early into the following month, keeping him at the Camp Nou until 30 June 2013,[24] but on 30 May of that year it was announced that the club would not further extend it.[25][26]

Health issues

[edit]

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.[27] Citing privacy concerns as wished by the player, the club did not release additional information in regards to his condition.[28] In response to the announcement, players and fans around the world dedicated well wishes to him on various social networking service and sports websites.[29][30]

Before their round-of-16 match in the Champions League, both Real Madrid and Lyon 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.[31][32] During Barcelona's match with Getafe CF on 19 March 2011, the fans at the stadium clapped for the entire 22nd minute (Abidal's kit number).[33] 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 be the first to lift the trophy in front of 85,000 people at Wembley Stadium in London.[34]

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.[35] On 10 April he underwent surgery, with his cousin Gérard being the donor.[36] On the same day Barcelona beat Getafe 4–0, and the victory was dedicated to the player in the post-game press conference;[37][38] he later revealed that his friend and teammate Dani Alves offered to donate part of his liver for the transplant, but he declined because it would have affected the latter's playing career.[39]

Abidal was released from hospital on 21 May 2012.[40] He returned to training in the Pyrenees in October 2012[41] but, the following month, he stated that his priority was a return to full health rather than resuming his football career.[42]

On 18 December 2012, Abidal was given the green light to start training again,[43] and he returned to active training in January of the following year. On 19 March of the following year he played 65 minutes for FC Barcelona B in a practice match with FC Istres,[44] and on 6 April he returned to official play, replacing Gerard Piqué for the last 20 minutes of a 5–0 home win against RCD Mallorca.[45][46] 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.[47]

Monaco return

[edit]

On 8 July 2013, 33-year-old Abidal returned to Monaco after more than one decade, signing for one season with the option of a further one.[48] After helping the principality team secure a place in the Champions League in his debut campaign, he agreed to a one-year contract extension.[49]

Olympiacos

[edit]

On 5 July 2014, two days after renewing his contract with Monaco, Abidal signed a two-year contract with Olympiacos FC.[50] On 19 December, however, he retired from the game for personal reasons.[51]

Return to Barcelona

[edit]

Abidal returned to Barcelona in June 2018, replacing Roberto Fernández as the club's director of football.[52][53] He was sacked on 18 August 2020,[54] following the 8–2 defeat against FC Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.[55]

International career

[edit]

Abidal earned 67 caps for the France national team,[56] his debut coming on 18 August 2004 in a friendly with Bosnia and Herzegovina.[7][56] 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 the match against Togo, from which he was suspended[57] after earning two yellow cards in the first two fixtures.[58][59] In the final against Italy, he scored his penalty shootout attempt.[60]

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 2–0 loss and group stage exit.[61] He played against Uruguay and Mexico in the 2010 World Cup again as stopper,[62][63] opting out of the next game against host country South Africa[64] as the French side again left the competition after only three matches.[65]

Style of play

[edit]

Considered one of the best defenders in the world at his peak, Abidal was a tactically intelligent and versatile defender, capable of featuring as a centre or left-back due to his positional sense and his ability to read the game. In his prime, he was also quick and strong which, along with his technical ability and distribution, allowed him to run up the wing to assist his team offensively as well as defensively.[66][67]

Personal life

[edit]

Abidal was raised in a Catholic family and converted to Islam in his 20s.[68][69] He married former gymnast Hayet Kebir in 2003, fathering children Méliana, Canélia, Leyna, Kenya and Edan.[70][71][72][73]

In November 2021, Hayet filed for divorce after Abidal admitted to having an affair with Paris Saint-Germain player Kheira Hamraoui, which came to light as part of an investigation into an assault on Hamraoui.[74]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[75][76]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lyon-Duchère 1996–97[citation needed] Division d'Honneur — —
1997–98[citation needed] — —
1998–99[citation needed] — —
1999–2000[citation needed] — —
Total
Monaco B 2000–01 CFA 8 0 — — — — 8 0
Monaco 2000–01[77] French Division 1 8 0 0 0 — 1 0 — 9 0
2001–02[77] 14 0 2 0 1 0 — — 17 0
Total 22 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 26 0
Lille 2002–03[77] Ligue 1 27 0 1 0 2 0 — — 30 0
2003–04[77] 35 0 1 0 2 0 — — 38 0
Total 62 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 68 0
Lyon 2004–05[77] Ligue 1 29 0 3 0 1 1 7 0 — 40 1
2005–06[77] 14 0 1 0 1 0 6 0 — 22 0
2006–07[77] 33 0 1 0 3 1 7 0 — 44 1
Total 76 0 5 0 5 2 20 0 0 0 106 2
Barcelona 2007–08[78] La Liga 30 0 6 0 — 10 0 — 46 0
2008–09[78] 25 0 2 0 — 5 0 — 32 0
2009–10[78] 17 0 2 0 — 10 0 3[a] 0 32 0
2010–11[78] 26 0 5 1 — 8 0 — 39 1
2011–12[78] 22 0 5 1 — 9 0 3[a] 0 39 1
2012–13[78] 5 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 5 0
Total 125 0 20 2 0 0 42 0 6 0 193 2
Monaco 2013–14[77] Ligue 1 26 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 29 0
Olympiacos 2014–15[77] Super League Greece 9 0 0 0 — 6 0 — 15 0
Career total 328 0 32 2 10 2 69 0 6 0 445 4
  1. ^ a b One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[79]
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 6 0
Total 67 0

Honours

[edit]
Abidal signing autographs at the Camp Nou

Lyon

Barcelona

Olympiacos

France

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Acta del partido celebrado el 16 de agosto de 2009, en Bilbao" [Minutes of the match held on 16 August 2009, in Bilbao] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  2. ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011 presented by TOYOTA: List of Players: FC Barcelona" (PDF). FIFA. 14 December 2011. p. 5. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Eric Abidal". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b Hunter, Graham (24 August 2011). "Graft not glitz defines Abidal's Monaco memories". UEFA. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Ils sont passés de Lille à Monaco, ou inversement" [They went from Lille to Monaco, or the other way around] (in French). France Football. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Barcelona star Abidal returns to training after liver transplant". CNN. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  7. ^ a b "French Focus: Eric Abidal (Lyon)". Channel 4. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
  8. ^ "Milan 3–1 Lyon (Agg: 3–1)". The Guardian. 4 April 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  9. ^ "Roma 0–0 Lyon". BBC Sport. 21 February 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Abidal punishment". UEFA. 19 November 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Lyon learn worst about Abidal". UEFA. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Bordeaux slip gives Lyon fifth straight title". The Guardian. 17 April 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Abidal completes move to Barcelona". CNN. 29 June 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2007.[dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Abidal joins Barcelona". FIFA. 29 June 2007. Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  15. ^ "The first squad list". FC Barcelona. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  16. ^ "'Fantastic Four' fail to fire for Barca". The Standard. 28 August 2007. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  17. ^ "Murcia 3–5 Barcelona: Dos Santos hits treble". ESPN Soccernet. 17 May 2008. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  18. ^ "Iniesta's late heartbreaker". ESPN Soccernet. 6 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  19. ^ "Llorente the party pooper". ESPN Soccernet. 10 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  20. ^ "One title closer to the treble". ESPN Soccernet. 14 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  21. ^ "Guardiola praises Barca bravery". BBC Sport. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  22. ^ Herguedas, Miguel Ángel (5 January 2011). "Sin magia también se puede en San Mamés" [Magic not needed in San Mamés]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  23. ^ "Barca fight back at the Bernabeu". ESPN Soccernet. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  24. ^ "Abidal, hasta 2013: "Quiero seguir haciendo historia"" [Abidal, until 2013: "I want to continue making history"]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 3 February 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  25. ^ "Abidal: "I'm going and I'll definitely be back"". FC Barcelona. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  26. ^ "Barcelona release Eric Abidal after his return from liver transplant". The Guardian. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  27. ^ "Barcelona's Eric Abidal faces surgery for liver tumour". The Guardian. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Abidal diagnosed with tumour on liver". FC Barcelona. 15 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  29. ^ "Barca's Abidal set for surgery on tumour". ESPN Soccernet. 15 March 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  30. ^ "El mundo del deporte se vuelca con Abidal" [Sports world supports Abidal]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 18 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  31. ^ "'Ánimo Abidal', mensaje de ánimo en el Bernabéu" ['Get well Abidal', message of support at the Bernabéu]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  32. ^ "Abidal still climbing mountains as France face Spain". Yahoo! Sports. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  33. ^ Rigg, Nicholas (3 April 2012). "Eric Abidal looks for a repeat of heart-warming recovery as football family comes together again". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  34. ^ "Abidal lifts the 4th trophy". FC Barcelona. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  35. ^ "Barcelona defender Eric Abidal to have a liver transplant". BBC Sport. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  36. ^ "Barcelona defender Eric Abidal recovering well after liver transplant surgery". The Daily Telegraph. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  37. ^ "Barcelona dedicate win to Abidal". ESPN Soccernet. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  38. ^ "Guardiola dedicates Getafe win to Eric Abidal". Xinhua News Agency. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  39. ^ "Eric Abidal says Dani Alves offered him part of his liver for transplant". The Guardian. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  40. ^ "Abidal leaves hospital". ESPN Soccernet. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  41. ^ "Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has begun training again following his liver transplant earlier this year". Sky Sports. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  42. ^ Coerts, Stefan (6 November 2012). "Abidal: Returning to football not my objective". Goal. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  43. ^ Harrison, Simon (18 December 2012). "Barcelona's Abidal given the green light to play football again". Goal. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  44. ^ "Éric Abidal plays practice match against Istres". FC Barcelona. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  45. ^ "Fabregas fires Barca to victory". ESPN FC. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  46. ^ "Abidal: "Gracias a mi primo, sin él no estaría aquí"" [Abidal: "Thanks to my cousin, i would not be here without him"]. Marca (in Spanish). 7 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  47. ^ "Below-par Barca leave it late". ESPN FC. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  48. ^ "Le retour d'Eric Abidal" [The return of Eric Abidal] (in French). AS Monaco FC. 8 July 2013. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  49. ^ "Abidal seguirá un año más en el Mónaco" [Abidal to continue one more year with Monaco]. Sport (in Spanish). 3 June 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  50. ^ "Eric Abidal leaves Monaco for Olympiakos". BBC Sport. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  51. ^ "Eric Abidal: Former Barcelona and France defender retires". BBC Sport. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  52. ^ "Soccer-Abidal Returns to Barcelona as sporting director". The New York Times. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  53. ^ Gallagher, Danny (19 June 2018). "Eric Abidal returns to Barcelona as sporting director". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  54. ^ "Agreement for the ending of Éric Abidal's contract". FC Barcelona. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  55. ^ Burrows, Ben (18 August 2020). "Barcelona sack sporting director Eric Abidal after Champions League exit". The Independent. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  56. ^ a b Arvinth, Karthick (13 June 2012). "French football federation invite Abidal as guest for Sweden clash". Goal. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  57. ^ "Togo 0–2 France – Stats/action". BBC Sport. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  58. ^ "France 0–0 Switzerland". BBC Sport. 13 June 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  59. ^ "France 1–1 South Korea". BBC Sport. 18 June 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  60. ^ "Italy 1–1 France (aet)". BBC Sport. 9 July 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  61. ^ "France 0–2 Italy & Netherlands 2–0 Romania". BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  62. ^ Glendenning, Barry (11 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: Uruguay v France – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  63. ^ Macaskill, Sandy (17 June 2010). "France v Mexico: as it happened". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  64. ^ Fryer, Rupert (22 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: Eric Abidal chose not to play against South Africa – France coach Raymond Domenech". Goal. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  65. ^ Hytner, David (22 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: South Africa beat red-faced France and both bow out". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  66. ^ "Éric Abidal" (in Spanish). FC Barcelona. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  67. ^ Berlin, Peter (8 July 2006). "France and Italy – Settled and similar". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  68. ^ Geisser, Vincent (14 January 2011). "Abidal, Ribéry... Allah est-il devenu le Dieu des stades ?" [Abidal, Ribéry... has Allah become the God of stadiums?] (in French). L'Obs. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  69. ^ Laïreche, Rachid (21 October 2014). "Eric Abidal. Foot, foie et foi" [Eric Abidal. Football, liver and faith]. Libération (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  70. ^ "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.
  71. ^ "Euro 2012: Wives and girlfriends – France: Hayet & Éric Abidal". MSN. 24 April 2012. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  72. ^ "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.
  73. ^ Deghetto, Marie (6 August 2016). "Eric Abidal: heureux papa de quatre filles avec sa femme Hayet (photos)" [Eric Abidal: proud daddy of four daughters with his wife Hayet (photos)] (in French). Terra Femina. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  74. ^ Loyola, Kelvin (19 November 2021). "Eric Abidal admits infidelity with Kheira Hamraoui and Hayet Abidal files for divorce amid assault investigation on the PSG midfielder". Bola Vip. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  75. ^ "E. Abidal". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  76. ^ Eric Abidal at ESPN FC
  77. ^ a b c d e f g h i Eric Abidal at WorldFootball.net
  78. ^ a b c d e f Eric Abidal at BDFutbol
  79. ^ "Éric Abidal". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  80. ^ "Trophée des champions: nouvelle victoire de Lyon" [Champions Trophy: new win for Lyon]. Le Monde (in French). 1 August 2004. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  81. ^ a b c d "Eric Abidal leaves Barcelona but plans to continue playing". BBC Sport. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  82. ^ Martin, Richard; Châtelet, Christian; Papantonopoulou, Vassiliki (19 December 2014). "Éric Abidal: 'An example to us all'". UEFA. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  83. ^ McNulty, Phil (28 May 2011). "Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  84. ^ "Pedro pounces to add to Barça glory". UEFA. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  85. ^ "Barcelona beat Porto for fourth UEFA Super Cup". UEFA. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  86. ^ "Σούπερ Λίγκα: Πρωταθλητής Ελλάδας ο Ολυμπιακός για 42η φορά" [Super League: Olympiacos are Greek champions for the 42nd time]. Naftemporiki (in Greek). 19 April 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  87. ^ "Domenech to remain as France coach". CNN. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  88. ^ "L'OL plébiscité par les Oscars du foot" [OL honoured by footy Oscars] (in French). Olympique Lyonnais. 22 May 2005. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  89. ^ "Juninho, l'élu" [Juninho, the chosen one] (in French). Eurosport. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  90. ^ "Malouda récompensé" [Malouda rewarded]. Le Figaro (in French). 20 May 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  91. ^ Harte, Adrian. "Team of the Year 2007". UEFA. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  92. ^ "Ganadores de las cuatro ediciones de premios de la LFP" [Winners of the four PFL awards editions]. ABC (in Spanish). 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  93. ^ "Abidal wins Aldo Rovira Award 2011/12". FC Barcelona. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  94. ^ "Wall of Fame". Globe Soccer. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  95. ^ Facchetti, Gianfelice (30 October 2013). "Ad Abidal il Premio Facchetti – "Un'altra vita? La vorrei così"" [To Abidal the Facchetti Award – "Another life? I would want it like this"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 21 January 2015.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Éric Abidal.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eric_Abidal&oldid=1254909602"