Camille Abily - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Camille Abily was born on December 5, 1984, in Rennes, France. As a child, she showed great passion and skill for football which led her to join local youth clubs to hone her abilities. She first joined FC Bruz and later moved to Stade Briochin, where her innate talent for the game was nurtured.
Initial Professional Career
Abily started her professional football career in 2001 with Stade Briochin, a women's football club in the Division 1 Féminine. Her exceptional skills and impressive work rate caught the attention of top-tier clubs. She soon moved to La Roche-sur-Yon in 2003 before finally landing at Montpellier in 2005. At Montpellier, she made significant progress in her career as a midfielder, helping the team to clinch the UEFA Women's Cup quarterfinals and leading them to a Division 1 Féminine win in her first season.
First Spell at Lyon
After three successful seasons with Montpellier, Abily transferred to Olympique Lyonnais in 2006, a move that would mark the beginning of her dominance in European football. Her time at Lyon, especially from 2006 to 2009, was marked by great triumphs as the team consistently won the Division 1 Féminine championship and she was pivotal in their success. Her performance was always top-notch, and she was able to score double-digit goals almost every season.
Move to the United States
In 2009, Abily was given the opportunity to leave France and move to the United States to play for Los Angeles Sol in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league. As expected, she exhibited her usual class and skill in the US, gaining recognition as one of the top midfielders in WPS. However, her stay in the US was short-lived as the club dissolved after just one season, forcing her to move to FC Gold Pride, another WPS team, in 2010.
Return to Lyon
Things eventually came full circle for Abily when she returned to Olympique Lyonnais in 2010 post her WPS experience. She was welcomed back with open arms and continued with the winning momentum. Abily added much-needed strength to Lyon's midfield and helped them wreak havoc on domestic and European competitions, consistently winning the French championship and the UEFA Women’s Champions League. During this period, she was also frequently named in the Division 1 Féminine team of the year.
International Career
Abily also had a successful international career representing the France Women's National Team. Her international debut occurred in 2001 when she was just 16 years old. Over the years, she has earned over 180 caps, significantly contributing to the revitalization of the French national team. Notable achievements include reaching the semifinals of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics. She officially retired from international football following the 2017 UEFA Women's Euro.
Retirement
Abily announced her retirement from professional football in 2018, ending a stunning career that spanned over 17 years. Upon her retirement, she became Lyon's assistant director and continues to contribute to the sport off the field. With an impressive record, including over 300 appearances for Lyon and more than 180 caps for France, Abily is widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers of her generation.
