Friday 16 January 2015 19:20, UK
Eric Abidal picks the best 11 players he has played alongside in his #One2Eleven on The Fantasy Football Club.
There are not many major honours in the game Abidal has not won during a glittering club and international career and that has allowed the Frenchman to play alongside some of the world's best players.
The 35-year-old,who played for Monaco, Lille, Lyon, Barcelona, Olympiacos and won 67 caps for his country, picked up two Champions League winner's medals and four La Liga title during his time at the Nou Camp.
The former France defender has gone for a 4-2-3-1 formation, and here a the stars who made the cut...
GOALKEEPER: Victor Valdes
I’ve chosen Victor Valdes, someone I got to know at Barcelona. A great goalkeeper. What struck me about him was something he said to me at a tough time in my life which made me feel very emotional. It was just after I left Barcelona, he said to me: “ Abi, I remember when you came back to training. You weren’t strong enough to train, but the determination I saw in you to get on the treadmill and start running really showed me the strength within you and the strength you gave the team.
RIGHT-BACK: Dani Alves
I’ve chosen Dani Alves at right-back. A hugely classy player. He has an approach to things, whether it’s matches or training sessions, where he puts on music and dances. And it’s great because he does this against top sides or smaller teams. He won’t change his approach to a game just because it’s El Clasico. That’s what he’s naturally like and that’s what makes him the great player he is.
CENTRE-BACK: Lilian Thuram
At right centre-back I went with Lilian Thuram. Lilian was my idol for a number of years. He really taught me a lot as a human being, I think he’s a very humble and he was an example I tried to follow throughout my career. He had this determination and will to win, which allowed me to express myself as a young player.
CENTRE-BACK: Carles Puyol
I’ve gone for Carles Puyol at left centre-back for everything he represents, not only from a football perspective, but also as a person. I remember a game at the Camp Nou…I can’t remember which player it was the referee didn’t blow for a free-kick and a young player ran up to protest and Puyol ran up to the player and told him: “ Get back in position because it’s more important not to concede than to argue about the decision you didn’t get.”
LEFT-BACK: Patrice Evra
I’ve picked Patrice Evra at left-back. I see myself in Patrice Evra, we’re from the same generation. He grew up in similar circumstances to me and developed in much the same way as me. We shared some great times together and I think he more than deserves his place in my best eleven.
CENTRE MIDFIELD: Patrick Vieira
In midfield given that I’ve chosen a 4-2-3-1 I put two powerhouses in there. Patrick Vieira. I picked him because he’s got a lot of talent, but he’s also a big guy physically. He’s good at sitting in front of the back four and he’s comfortable with the ball at his feet. It’s not easy to do certain things when you’re tall, but he did it very well and he brings balance to my best eleven.
CENTRE MIDFIELD: Claude Makelele
Alongside him I’ve gone for Claude Makelele. We know how experienced he is, we know how much he contributed to some great sides. I went for Claude because he’s a very intelligent player. I also believe he was the most important player for Real Madrid. And that’s why I picked him in midfield, to provide balance with Patrick Vieira.
RIGHT MIDFIELD: Lionel Messi
On the right I’ve gone for Lionel Messi. That was where he first played at Barcelona this allowed him to cut inside on his left-foot. I played with him, he’s won the Ballon d’Or four times and we won’t list all the other trophies he’s won. He’s capable of producing a moment of magic at any time, thanks to his pace, his footballing brain, and his finishing.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: Zinedine Zidane
Just behind the striker I’ve gone for Zinedine Zidane. I couldn’t go for anyone else because he deserves that place, and I think he’d deserve his place in the best eleven with lots of players who played with him. He had class, he was elegant, an individual force, he had a strong character but was always equally humble. As a person, along with Puyol, he’s an example to the industry.
LEFT MIDFIELD: Franck Ribery
On the left I’ve gone for Ribery. I met him in 2006 and he was a revelation of the 2006 World Cup. He was knew to that side, he brought a lot to the team and helped us to have a great tournament. Then he kept on working to reach the level he’s at today and become an indispensable player for his club.
STRIKER: Karim Benzema/Zlatan Ibrahimovic
I’ve gone for Benzema up front. I’ve known him since he was 16. I’ve been able to follow his whole career. He very quickly took on board what we asked of him, the instructions we gave him. That’s why I think he took off at Olympique Lyonnais before moving to Real. And at Real he simply confirmed what everyone thought and expected of him, so that’s why I picked him in my starting eleven but he is competing with Ibrahimovic.
He’s a player I know because we spent a season together at Barcelona. He’s not exactly the guy you see on TV, he’s completely different off the pitch. That’s why I get on with him. However I have to put him 50-50 in my team. He can score goals from 40 yards when people are least expecting it. Genius little tricks. Score with backheels, with his back, headers. I’m very happy to have unveiled my best eleven.
