Eric Abidal Denies Retirement Rumours Amid Barcelona Return Reports
Barcelona – 16 November 2014
Former French international Eric Abidal has dismissed speculation surrounding his potential retirement from professional football, following reports suggesting he was preparing to hang up his boots and take on a new role at FC Barcelona.
The 35-year-old defender, currently under contract with Greek champions Olympiakos, returned to Barcelona during the international break, sparking rumours that he was on the verge of ending his playing career and rejoining Barça in an off-field capacity. Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo, later echoed by Africa Top Sport, claimed that Abidal was in line to become the sporting director of Barcelona’s global network of football academies.
However, speaking to Catalan newspaper Sport upon his arrival at El Prat airport, Abidal firmly denied any suggestion that retirement is imminent.
“It is not certain that I will retire,” he stated. “Everything that is said around me bothers me. If I am in Barcelona, it’s because I live here.”
Abidal, who earned 67 caps for France and spent six highly successful seasons at Barcelona—including Champions League triumphs in 2009 and 2011—has kept a relatively low profile since joining Olympiakos at the start of the season. His presence in Barcelona was interpreted by some as an indication that he might be winding down his career and preparing to take on a role behind the scenes at his former club.
Yet the player insists no decision has been made about his future, neither with Olympiakos nor beyond.
“I haven’t yet decided whether this will be my final season. My focus remains on football,” Abidal added.
Despite battling serious health issues earlier in his career—including a liver transplant in 2012—Abidal made a courageous return to professional football and continues to compete at the top level in the Greek Super League.
For now, his commitment to Olympiakos remains intact, and any talk of retirement or a return to Barcelona in a non-playing capacity appears premature. Fans of the former Barcelona stalwart will no doubt be watching closely as he weighs up his next move in what has already been a remarkable career.
