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I will retire if Barcelona do not renew my contract - Eric Abidal
Frenchman happy to play at centre-back for boss Guardiola...
8 Sep 2010 14:07:00
By Paul Macdonald
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has stated that he hopes the club offer him a new deal when his current contract expires in the summer of 2012, or else he will consider retiring from the game.
The French international defender is entering into his fourth season at the Camp Nou following his move from Lyon, and has stated his intention to remain in Catalunya beyond the end of his current deal.
El Mundo Deportivo reports that the 30-year-old will assess his options and should a new offer not be forthcoming, he will leave the game altogether, despite the fact he will only be 32 when his deal expires.
He stated: "For me it is Barcelona or I retire. If they renew my contract, I will stay and continue, but here I have won everything. I enjoy family life, and I do not spend much time at home. I enjoy my job but family is important.
"However if Barcelona renew, I would be delighted."
Abidal also added that he had discussed with coach Pep Guardiola the possibility of him playing regularly in central defence this season, a position he fulfilled in the 3-0 opening day win over Racing Santander.
He remarked: "I talked to the coach during pre-season and he said he wanted me to play centre-back, and that I could do well there. I replied that if he wanted me to play there, I would do the best I could.
"I like playing at left-back, but I will play where the coach chooses. If I need to get into another position, I do."
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The French international defender is entering into his fourth season at the Camp Nou following his move from Lyon, and has stated his intention to remain in Catalunya beyond the end of his current deal.
El Mundo Deportivo reports that the 30-year-old will assess his options and should a new offer not be forthcoming, he will leave the game altogether, despite the fact he will only be 32 when his deal expires.
He stated: "For me it is Barcelona or I retire. If they renew my contract, I will stay and continue, but here I have won everything. I enjoy family life, and I do not spend much time at home. I enjoy my job but family is important.
"However if Barcelona renew, I would be delighted."
Abidal also added that he had discussed with coach Pep Guardiola the possibility of him playing regularly in central defence this season, a position he fulfilled in the 3-0 opening day win over Racing Santander.
He remarked: "I talked to the coach during pre-season and he said he wanted me to play centre-back, and that I could do well there. I replied that if he wanted me to play there, I would do the best I could.
"I like playing at left-back, but I will play where the coach chooses. If I need to get into another position, I do."
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