Abidal could retire in 2012
French left-back Eric Abidal has said he will quit football if he is not granted a contract extension by his current club, FC Barcelona.
Abidal, 30, joined Barcelona from Olympique Lyonnais in 2007 and has yet to extend his contract, which expires at the end of next season.
“For me it is Barcelona or I retire," the Frenchman told El Mundo Deportivo. "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.”
Missed 2009 final
Since 2007, Abidal has made 73 appearances for Barcelona. He has won two league and one Spanish Cup title with the team, which also beat Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final.
Abidal, who picked up a red card in the semi-final against Chelsea, was distraught to be absent for the European final.
Last season, the French international was manager Pep Guardiola's first choice in his position, despite Brazilian left-back Maxwell having arrived from Inter Milan last summer.
Could play centrally for Guardiola
But following discussions with Guardiola, the loyal Abidal has said he would be happy to play centre-back as well.
"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."
Having recovered from a muscle injury he suffered in February, Abidal featured in Barcelona's first game of the season against Racing Santader. He will likely start when his team hosts Hercules on Saturday.
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