Excellent left back who arrived at the club on the back of the prestige he’d gained at Olympique Lyonnais and for the French national team. Arrived in the last season with Frank Rijkaard on the Barça bench (2007/2008) and quickly commandeered the left flank of the defence. In the following season he was a key part of the team that won Barça’s first ever treble with Guardiola as coach, which would become a sextet at the end of an unforgettable 2009. His physical strength and speed made him an essential player, and he could also shoot. As a Barça player he beat liver cancer, which was why captain Carles Puyol handed him the honour of lifting the Champions League trophy at Wembley in 2011. He has gone on to do a lot for charity causes. After six seasons at Barça he signed for Monaco in France. Finally he’d end up retiring at Olimpiacos in 2015.

Full biography:

As well as the many titles and his importance as a Barça player, Eric Abidal will be especially remembered for his first goal as a blaugrana. It took a long time coming but eventually came during the new year celebrations of 2011, at the cathedral of San Mamés in the first leg of the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey. His goal meant Barça returned from Bilbao with a valuable draw. Despite his liver tumour and transplant, Abidal remained part of that triumphant Barça team and posted some of his finest performances for the side. At the end of his contract in 2013 he left for the French and then the Greek championships. But he would eventually return, becoming technical secretary of the club.

Honours:

4 Ligas (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2012-2013)
2 Champions Leagues (2008-2009 and 2010-2011)
2 Copa del Rey (2008-2009 and 2011-2012)
2 European Super Cups (2009-2010 and 2011-2012)
2 Club World Cups (2009-2010 and 2011-2012)
3 Spanish Super Cups (2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012)