Ex-Barcelona star slams rumours he died after shocking claim goes viral - 'I'm alive!'
Eric Abidal has been forced to publish an official statement confirming that he is alive, after a cruel rumour claimed the ex-Barcelona star had died.
Eric Abidal has spoken out following rumours on social media at the weekend claiming he had died due to complications from a previous liver transplant. The ex-Barcelona and France defender was forced to shut down the cruel claims that he had passed away, confirming he was very much alive.
Abidal had been diagnosed with liver cancer during his tenure at Barca in 2011, but recovered after undergoing a transplant one year later - fuelling the speculation behind his alleged death in 2025. Writing on his Instagram account, the 46-year-old said: "Some rumours should never exist. I'm here with my family and everything is fine. Respect is essential. There is a family and my children behind this. To be clear, I'm fine, I'm alive and well. Thank you for your support and messages of concern. Let's focus on what really matters."
His partner, Hayet Abidal, also posted a message responded to the rumours as she said: "Fake news. No, Eric is not dead. Thank God. Behind this kind of baseless nonsense, there is a family and children."
Abidal's update to his followers was met with widespread relief as the ex-defender was a much-loved part of a famous Barcelona squad. He spent time out of the team during his cancer battle, but made 193 appearances for the La Liga side over a six-year career in Spain, scoring twice and assisting 10 times from a central defensive position.
With Barca, Abidal won four league titles, two Champions Leagues, one UEFA Super Cup, two Copa del Reys and FIFA Club World Cups alongside three Supercopa de Espana's.
The former defender also won league titles in France and Greece, and was runner-up in the FIFA World Cup in 2006 to Italy, who defeated the French on penalties in the same game as Zinedine Zidane's famous headbutt.
Abidal also played for Monaco, Lille, Lyon, and Olympiacos and represented his country 67 times at senior level - assisting five times and being sent off once - during an impressive playing career. After retiring in 2014, the ex-footballer served as sporting director of Barcelona between 2018 and 2020.
Abidal's time in charge of the Spaniards ended in disaster, after he was sacked following the club's 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Now, the ex-France international is the sporting director for Al Wasl Sports Club in the United Arab Emirates after 438 total career appearances in the game.
