Abidal cuts short playing career at Olympiakos

Former France and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal announced his retirement from football on Friday, a day before his last match.

Abidal said he will finish after playing for Olympiakos against Kalloni on Saturday, with 18 months left on his contract.

He cited personal reasons for stopping, without elaborating.

Abidal played at two World Cups for France, and won the Champions League twice with Barcelona. There, he was diagnosed with a liver tumor in early 2011, and had a liver transplant a year later. He was back in action for Barcelona at the end of the 2012-13 season.

He returned to Monaco for last season, and signed with Olympiakos in July.

[AP]