Éric Abidal, former player of Fútbol Club Barcelona and current sporting director of Al Wasl in the Arab Emirates, has had to deny a false news that announced his death. Abidal has used his social media to reassure fans and confirm that he is in perfect health.
The official message of Éric Abidal
In a brief but forceful statement published on his Instagram account, Abidal clarified: "I am here, with my family, and everything is fine". With these words, the former azulgrana deactivated the rumors that pointed to an alleged medical complication as the cause of his death, information without any real basis and that quickly went viral.
With this gesture, the Frenchman sought not only to put an end to the controversy, but also to send a message of serenity to his followers and the football environment, who had shown their concern about the alleged news.
The dangerous virality of a fake news
The false news about Abidal's alleged death spread quickly through social media, where condolence messages and publications remembering his time as a footballer began to appear. Even some portals came to take the information for granted, which forced Abidal himself to intervene to stop the misinformation.
This type of fake news is not a new phenomenon in the world of sports. Players, coaches and former top-level footballers have been victims of similar hoaxes, which are spread without prior verification and generate great confusion among fans.
Abidal: a career marked by overcoming
Abidal is remembered at Barça not only for his performance as a left back, but also for his ability to overcome. In 2011 he was diagnosed with a tumor in the liver and a year later he underwent a transplant. His fight against the disease, followed by his return to the field, made him a symbol of resilience for the culé fans.
During his time as a blaugrana player (2007-2013), he won multiple titles, including four Leagues and two Champions League. His image raising the Champions League trophy at Wembley 2011, after overcoming the disease, remains one of the most iconic moments in the recent history of the club.
After his retirement, Abidal began his career as a director, serving as technical secretary of Fútbol Club Barcelona between 2018 and 2020. He is currently the sporting director of Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates, where he works on the sports planning of the club.
His denial on social media has restored calm both in his personal environment and in the world of football, closing an episode that reflects the risks of misinformation in the digital age.
A warning about information responsibility
Abidal's case is another example of the need to verify sources before sharing information on social media. The speed with which false news spreads can have serious consequences, not only for a person's public reputation, but also for their family and loved ones.
From FCBN, we are glad that, luckily, Éric Abidal continues to focus on his work in Dubai and enjoys his family life with complete normality.