Eric Abidal
Barcelona, Real Madrid set for explosive reunion
Aug 14, 2011 00:07 EDT
Barcelona and Real Madrid, whose five meetings last season produced fireworks on and off the pitch, clash in a potentially explosive Spanish Supercup first leg on Sunday, a crucial marker for the season ahead.
Blanc names France squad, opts for continuity
Aug 04, 2011 13:20 EDT
France coach Laurent Blanc named a 23-man squad on Thursday for the friendly match against Chile in Montpellier on August 10.
Barcelona reopen Abidal contract talks
Jul 19, 2011 13:06 EDT
Barcelona have reopened negotiations with left-back Eric Abidal over a contract extension, the Spanish club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said on Tuesday.
Blanc reveals shortlist for France captaincy
Jun 10, 2011 13:00 EDT
Laurent Blanc on Friday revealed a five-man shortlist for the captaincy of the French national team.
Germany, Italy stroll as French labour
Jun 03, 2011 19:45 EDT
Germany and Italy continued their leisurely stroll towards the Euro 2012 finals with wins which underlined their domination of their groups but France dropped unexpected points by drawing in Belarus.
Blanc's French fire blanks in Belarus
Jun 03, 2011 17:20 EDT
French coach Laurent Blanc could not hide his frustration as France laboured to a 1-1 draw at Belarus in their Euro 2012 Group D qualifier in Minsk on Friday.
Les Bleus seek Minsk revenge in Euro 2012 qualifiers
Jun 03, 2011 01:39 EDT
France coach Laurent Blanc is hoping the surprisingly good form of his squad helps get 'Les Bleus' back on a positive footing as they seek revenge against Belarus in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Minsk.
Abidal set for Bleus return after liver op
Jun 02, 2011 14:24 EDT
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is set to make his first start for France since his liver operation in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Group D bogeymen Belarus here Friday.
Europe-conquering Barca return home
May 29, 2011 16:16 EDT
Barcelona's Europe-conquering heroes paraded in an open-top, double-decker bus through cheering, packed streets Sunday and arrived to a roar of welcome at a bursting Camp Nou stadium.
Humble Messi refuses to take credit for Barca win
May 29, 2011 07:36 EDT
Lionel Messi refused to take the credit for Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League final win against Manchester United even though the Argentine maestro stole the show at Wembley with a sublime display.
Messi the master as brilliant Barca win Champions League
May 28, 2011 18:55 EDT
Barcelona confirmed their place in the pantheon of football's greatest sides here Saturday, outclassing Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley to claim their second Champions League crown in three years.
Abidal set for France return
May 26, 2011 15:15 EDT
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal, who underwent surgery on a liver tumour in March, was on Thursday recalled to the France team by coach Laurent Blanc for a Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus and two friendlies next month.
Ronaldo eyes goal record, six fight for survival
May 20, 2011 23:54 EDT
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is looking for personal glory on Saturday when the Portuguese star aims to beat the all-time La Liga goals record of 38 on the final day of the season.
Anelka sues newspaper over World Cup rant
May 20, 2011 11:52 EDT
Former France striker Nicolas Anelka began his 150,000-euro libel action against French newspaper L'Equipe on Friday for their reporting of his foul-mouthed World Cup rant at former coach Raymond Domenech.
Barcelona's Abidal 'changed forever' by tumour
May 16, 2011 10:41 EDT
Barcelona's French defender Eric Abidal admitted on Monday that he has been changed forever by a liver tumour.
Barcelona prepare title party, Hercules relegated
May 12, 2011 03:04 EDT
Barcelona were crowned Spanish champions for the third successive season with a 1-1 draw at Levante clinching a 21st domestic title with two games to spare.
Barcelona prepare title party, Hercules relegated
May 11, 2011 18:12 EDT
Barcelona were crowned Spanish champions for the third successive season with a 1-1 draw at Levante on Wednesday clinching a 21st domestic title with two games to spare.
Guardiola salutes returning French defender Abidal
May 02, 2011 16:34 EDT
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola on Monday saluted French defender Eric Abidal as he returned to full training ahead of his side's Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp barely six weeks on from surgery on a liver tumour.
Sociedad loss real wake up call, says Guardiola
May 01, 2011 11:58 EDT
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said his side's 2-1 loss at Real Sociedad was a timely wake up call ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg match against arch rivals Real Madrid.
Wounded Barcelona braced for latest Real duel
Apr 27, 2011 05:57 EDT
With the Kings Cup final loss fresh in their minds, Barcelona are out for revenge when they face bitter rivals Real Madrid in Wednesday's eagerly-anticipated Champions League semi-first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
