Eric Abidal to officially retire Friday

Eric Abidal is hanging up the cleats once and for all.

In a week that saw Thierry Henry's retirement from the game make headlines around the world, Abidal, 35, is set to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot and call it a day on his playing career.

The announcement came courtesy of Olympiacos manager Michel, who confirmed Abidal will officially announce his retirement at a press conference Friday, claiming the French left-back had reached the decision two months ago.

"I am proud to have been his coach this season," Michel said. "Personal decisions are above those of the pitch."

Abidal's career was marred by the diagnosis of a liver tumor that required a transplant in March 2011, when he was enjoying tremendous success at the club level with Barcelona. Although Abidal featured for the Catalan club once again in April 2013, he subsequently departed for AS Monaco before joining Olympiacos ahead of this season.

At the club level, Abidal will retire with three Ligue 1 titles to his name from his time at Lyon, as well as two Champions League titles, four La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey titles from his years as a prominent member of a heralded Barcelona squad.

Playing for the French national team, Abidal won 67 international caps and last appeared in a World Cup qualifier versus Ukraine more than a year ago. In 2006, he helped France reach the World Cup final as the side's first-choice left-back and converted his penalty in their historic shootout loss to Italy.

Reports are circulating that claim Abidal will return to Barcelona to assume a role with the club's academy.