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The French left-back is one of the most-celebrated players of the past 15 years, but his career was marred by liver problems towards the end

Related Topics: Éric Abidal, defender, France

Strong and intelligent at the back with the ability to go forward, Eric Abidal is one of the best defenders French football has seen in the last 15 years.

Despite having his career cut short by illness, the versatile left-back still amassed over 450 appearances in his playing days for club and country, winning 21 trophies along the way.

Abidal was recently made a club ambassador for Barcelona, for whom he made almost 200 appearances, and was delighted at the news:

'Real Madrid can cope without Ronaldo'

“It makes me really happy to be officially part of the club,” he told Barca’s official website.