Former professional footballer, Eric Abidal is best known as having played for FC Barcelona and the French National Team. An innovative and intelligent defender boasts a 15-year long career in football, which has allowed him to become a leading expert in skills including achieving peak performance, maximising success and effective teamwork practices.
A career that began in 1999, Eric joined AS Lyon Duchere before moving to play for Ligue 1 team AS Monaco FC. Proving his undeniable skill as a player throughout his eight appearances with Monaco B, he managed to earn himself a place in the first team and made his debut in a 3-0 victory against Toulouse FC.
Having played for seven domestic clubs throughout his career, Eris has amassed more than 320 appearances along with 67 appearances for the French national team. After an incredible start to his career, it was whilst he was playing for Barcelona that he discovered he had a tumour in his liver. With incredible courage and determination, he underwent a liver transplant and made a heroic return to the pitch in 2013 with Monaco and managed to help them secure a place in the Champions League.
Internationally, Abidal has contributed his efforts to reach the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup where he managed to score his penalty shoot out attempt in France’s close defeat to Italy. Having also played at the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, it’s apparent that Eric’s skill and winning mindset is one that is valuable.
Most recently, he has signed to play for Olympiacos in 2014 before announcing his retirement from the game towards the end of the year. He has since gone onto become the director of football at Barcelona, replacing Roberto Fernandez and making key decisions for the team.
A confident leader, talented footballer and hugely popular public figure, Eric Abidal has the perfect attributes to make the biggest impact at any corporate event or function. With an abundance of wisdom and experience, he can relate the impressive skillset that he has amassed to audiences of all varieties from corporate to school and sporting organisations.
How to hire Eric Abidal
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Eric Abidal for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
When he's at corporate events, Eric is known to discuss the following topics:
- International Football
- Achieving Peak Performance
- Overcoming Adversity
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Maximising Success
