Eric Abidal became one of the players with a large collection of titles. Having speed and strength on the left side of the pitch, Abidal played more than 400 appearances at the club level, plus 67 others at the country level.
During his 15-year career in the world of football, Abidal has won everything. Eight league titles, the European Champions League and several other prestigious trophies can fulfill their trophy trophies. During his career, Abidal has played matches in three different countries, where he successfully won.
But of course, it is not easy to become an Abidal. He faces many challenges to be able to lift the championship trophy.
At that time, right in 2011, Eric Abidal was struggling hard to fight liver cancer. This disease made the player who born on September 11, 1979, rested for several months in the year. After suffering from liver cancer, Eric Abidal immediately underwent surgery. Abidal also had time to play six months after undergoing surgery. But he returned to be treated which made him almost a year away from football.
Right in March 2012, through the shocking news that came without permission. Abidal had to go back for treatment due to unresolved complications from the first operation a year earlier. It was getting more worrying since this time he had to undergo a liver transplant operation and could not be predicted when he could play again.
But with this disease, Abidal had become a highly respected footballer. Not many players can pass this kind of challenge. However, with patience and spirit to survive, Abidal was able to come out victorious.
When Abidal underwent surgery, the Camp Nou public remembered him by clapping his hands every 22nd minute the match was held at the stadium. About 90 thousand spectators applauded for a minute for a player lying weak in the operating room.
Furthermore, support was also shown by eternal rivals Barca, namely Real Madrid. They were seen wearing T-shirts that read ‘Animo Abidal’. The color of friendship was very rarely shown by two rivals who were always hostile.
Support also came from outside the field. At that time, support for Abidal continued to flow in social media. With the hashtag #AnimoAbidal, football lovers in the world hoped for the warrior’s recovery.
Despite successfully returning to the field in 2013, Abidal’s contract was not renewed. He decided to return to AS Monaco and finally ended his career at Olympiakos in 2014 at the age of 35.
However, a career in Barcelona is very effective. Besides getting a lot of trophies with the Blaugrana squad, Abidal also claimed he could not forget the memories when he was given responsibility when the armband wrapped around his arm during the 2010/11 Champions League final match, facing the Red Devils club.
At that time, Barcelona which won the title also issued Abidal as the winner of the European football club trophy.
Abidal gratitude for Barcelona is not surprising. Since his career in the Catalan team spent more on the operating table due to the tumor he suffered. The tumor almost made him end his career in Barcelona sooner.
He had made his teammates sad for not playing. At that time, in the middle of his weak code, Abidal often sent videos about him to his colleagues in the Barcelona team. The goal, he wanted the video to lift the spirit of his friends.
But the video made his friends sad instead. Lionel Messi, who was a Barcelona star and friend, asked Abidal to stop sending videos.
Besides thanking Barcelona, Abidal also thanked his cousin, Gerard. Narrated by Abidal, it was Gerard who donated his heart to him so that he could return to pursue his dreams in the world of football.
During his career as a professional player, various achievements have been inscribed by Abidal. Among them are French Ligue 1 champions with Lyon three times in a row (2005 to 2007), four times La Liga champions with Barcelona, and of course the Champions League trophy with the Spanish club. And do not miss the trophy with Olympiacos in the Greek league. Then, Abidal also became part of the French national team squad who came out as runners-up at the 2006 World Cup.
After officially retiring from the world of football, Abidal was officially appointed as the club’s sporting director for FC Barcelona. He replaced Robert Fernandez whose contract was not renewed by the Blaugrana management.
