Eric Abidal Begins New Chapter at Olympiakos After Turning Down Barcelona Offer
At 35, Eric Abidal has chosen a new path in football—but off the pitch. The former France and Barcelona defender, who officially retired from professional football in December, has accepted a post-career role with Olympiakos, the last club he played for before hanging up his boots.
Though FC Barcelona offered him a position, Abidal respectfully declined.
“Barça asked me to be the link between the management and the team. But I don’t see the point,” he explained to France Football. “Messi knows the president. He doesn’t need me to go see him.”
The Spanish giants also suggested a role overseeing their football schools, but the demands of extensive travel conflicted with Abidal’s personal commitments:
“There are elections, I have my foundation, and if I do this as a job, when do I take care of my foundation? And there’s my family, obviously.”
Instead, Abidal accepted Olympiakos’ flexible offer, which he sees as more compatible with his life goals.
“They want me to take care of everything related to marketing, sponsorship, pre-season training, and to act as a link between the Olympiakos academy and that of Barça,” said the former Monaco, Lille, and Lyon player. “That’s easier. It’s not a 24/7 job. I’ll be in Athens four days a month. I promised them. I only have one word.”
By balancing this new professional role with time for his foundation and family, Abidal appears ready to begin a fulfilling second career—on his own terms.
