Intro:

Eric Abidal announces his retirement

Script:

SOUNDBITE (French) Eric Abidal: "Today I took the official decision to stop my career as a professional football player here in Olympiacos "

SOUNDBITE (French) Eric Abidal: "This is simply for personal reasons (to stop my career), after a career and a story like my own, that I think that everyone knows, a high level sportsman is the only one to know when he has to put an end to his career, and I think that for me this moment has come".

SOUNDBITE (French) Eric Abidal: "I would really like to thank all the coaches that I had. From the first till the last one, which is Michel, all the medical staff that treated me since my childhood until now, all the teams that I have shared big moments with. I think that they will remain friends for the rest of my life"

SOUNDBITE (French) Eric Abidal: "I have not received a contract offer (from FC Barcelona), I am in the same situation today with Olympiacos, so ok, this is it. In the near future I will be resting, and to enjoy my family, and after this being able to take decisions in order to start a new chapter in life"