Eric Abidal Announces Retirement from International Football
Former French international Eric Abidal has officially called time on his career with Les Bleus, joining Samir Nasri and Franck Ribéry in stepping away from the national team setup in recent days.
Speaking to Catalan radio station RAC1, the ex-defender confirmed his decision to retire from international duty, expressing deep disappointment over his omission from France’s squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“My time with the French national team is over. It was a big disappointment not to go to Brazil to play in the World Cup, it affected me a lot. If I fought as hard as I did until today, it was to say goodbye to the national team during the World Cup. But that didn’t happen,” said Abidal.
Now 34, Abidal made 67 appearances for France after earning his first cap in August 2004. He was a regular fixture in the national side for nearly a decade, playing in major tournaments including the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and Euro 2008.
His final match for Les Bleus came in November 2013 during the first leg of the World Cup qualifying play-off against Ukraine — a performance that was heavily criticised and widely believed to be a key factor in his omission from the final tournament squad.
Known for his composure, athleticism, and versatility in defence, Abidal overcame significant adversity in his career, including a liver tumour and transplant, before returning to top-level football — a comeback that remains one of the sport’s most inspiring stories.
While his international career has ended on a bittersweet note, Abidal remains a respected figure in French football, both for his contributions on the pitch and the resilience he demonstrated off it.
