FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.01.2010 10:30

Abidal: 100 games for Barça

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Éric Abidal has reached, including the game with Sevilla, the total of 100 games for Barça. The Frenchman has impressed since joining the club and has made the left back position his own.

He played 46 in his first season and 32 in the treble season, and has played 22 so far, which makes 100 appearances in the FC Barcelona shirt. He is the ninth current player to make his century.

On August 26, 2007, Frank Rijkaard gave Éric Abidal his first taste of playing for Barça at the El Sardinero. He was brought in to replace Van Bronckhorst and was soon the preferred choice in that position ahead of Sylvinho. He played 46 games in a season the club failed to collect any titles.

No finals

Then came Barça’s treble winning year. Abidal only played 32 games, mainly due an enforced absence through injury on the day Espanyol won at the Camp Nou (1-2). He was sidelined for six weeks. Sendings off against Vila-real (3-3) and Chelsea (1-1) meant he was suspended for both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals.

This 2009/10 season he has already totalled 22 games in a position he shares with new signing Maxwell. But he has yet to score any goals.

Until 2012

Éric Abidal still has time to play more games for Barça. The defender extended his contract on November 25, 2009, the day before the Inter game (2-0), and has agreed terms until the summer of 2012.