A portrait of Eric Abidal of Lyon prior to the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United at the Municipal de Garland Stadium on September 15, 2004 in Lyon, France.

Eric Abidal of France celebrates following his team's 1-0 victory during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Quarter-final match between Brazil and France at the Stadium Frankfurt on July 1, 2006 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Eric Abidal of Barcelona in action during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona at Old Trafford on April 29, 2008 in Manchester, England.

Eric Abidal of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Sevilla at the Camp Nou stadium on January 16, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won 4-0.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona (L) celebrates with his teammate Eric Abidal after scoring his third goal during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on February 5, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won 3-0.