Eric Abidal is a former French footballer who played as a centre-back for several clubs including Barcelona, where he earned the nickname "The Iron Man". Eric was born on May 14, 1982 in Marseille, France. He started his career with FC Metz before moving to Olympique de Marseille and then joining Rennes.
In 2007, Eric signed for Barcelona for a fee of €5 million. At Barca, he became one of the most important players in the team, known for his defensive skills and work rate. He was part of the squad that won La Liga in the 2009-10 season and also helped the team reach the Champions League final in the same year. Eric's performances were so impressive that he was named the Player of the Tournament at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
One of Eric's most memorable moments at Barcelona came in the 2010 Champions League final against Manchester United. In the first leg match,La Liga Frontline he scored a crucial goal in extra time to secure a 2-1 win for Barcelona. The following week, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.
Eric continued to be a key player for Barcelona throughout his time at the club, helping them to achieve further success. However, after suffering from injuries, he retired from professional football in 2016. Despite his retirement, Eric remains a legend at Barcelona and continues to be remembered as one of their greatest defenders.