Eric Abidal : Mr Reliable

With the game being played at such a fast pace and high tempo in these modern times, it takes a lot out of the players to perform consistently and with ease at the highest level. But one such player who is constantly giving out his best and performing reliably over the past decade is Eric Abidal. Since making his professional debut in the year 2000, Abidal has continuously scaled new heights and has been as solid as a rock in defence.

Early Playing days in France

Abidal started his professional career at Monaco and then moved to Lille after just one season. His strong displays at the back for Lille earned him a national team call-up and also a move to French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais, which had just won its second successive Ligue 1 championship. During his time in France he was considered “one of the best fullbacks in the Ligue 1″, self confidence of this title was shown when Lyon played Manchester United: “As a defender, my aim is to infuriate the opponent,” Abidal 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. Such was his confidence and self-belief that in years to follow, he was known as one of the best fullback in the world. After winning three back to back Ligue 1 titles at Lyon, Spanish Champions Barcelona came calling and he switched France for Spain in the quest to increase his ever increasing reputation.Life in Spain

Transition from France to Spain didn’t prove too much of a hurdle for Eric Abidal. He slotted easily into his new team and is still a constant figure at the left back position. He has also played as a centre back on numerous occasions for Barcelona and has looked comfortable in that position too. Having won the La Liga and Champions League and numerous other trophies with the Blaugrana, Abidal has won almost everything which is there to be won at Club Level. Only a World Cup winner’s medal eludes the ever so reliable fullback. He had come close of fulfilling his World Cup dream in 2006 but lost out to Italy on penalties in the final. This season too he has been a constant rock at the back for Barcelona and it is his presence at the back which has made Barcelona a formidable and a dominant side. He has seen his stock increase so rapidly in the past few years that he is easily one of the first names in the star-studded Barcelona team. With the season nearing its completion and Barcelona challenging for trophies in three competitions, Eric Abidal was diagnosed with tumour on his liver.

Health Issues

On 15 March 2011, Barcelona announced that Abidal was diagnosed with a tumour on his liver. He had surgery on his liver on 17 March 2011. Citing privacy concerns as wished by the player, the club did not release additional information in regards to his condition. In response to the announcement, players and fans from all over the world alike dedicated well wishes for the ill player on multiple social networking sites and sports websites.Such is his respect and position in the footballing world that before their Round of 16 match in the Champions League both Real Madrid and Olympique Lyonnais players entered onto the pitch wearing Ánimo Abidal (Strength Abidal) t-shirts along with the

same message on the Santiago Bernabéu’s scoreboards in show of support and solidarity. During the Barcelona’s match against Getafe on March 19, the fans of the stadium clapped for all the entire minute 22, due to the number of Abidal’s shirt for Barcelona, as a respectful moment for him.His absence at the back will be a huge blow for Barcelona considering that they are already without influential captain Carles Puyol and the injury plagued Gabriel Milito. With the season nearing its completion, Abidal’s pace, experience and huge presence at the back will be sorely missed.