After a star-studded career, which spanned over 25 years, France right wing Luc Abalo has decided to retire, his final match being scheduled for Saturday, 25 February, for his current club team, Zeekstar Tokyo.

Born in Ivry-sur-Seine, a suburb of the French capital Paris, Abalo made his first steps in handball at club level at the local team US Ivry, where he played for ten years between 1998 and 2008. He then moved to BM Ciudad Real and Atletico Madrid, came back to France at PSG Handball where he spent eight years, finishing his career at Norwegian club Elverum Handball and Japanese club Zeekstar Tokyo.

An eight-time winner of the French league and a winner of the EHF Champions League Men with Ciudad Real, Abalo hit the biggest performances of his star-studded career with France men's senior national team, being a three-time winner at the IHF Men's World Championship, the Olympic Games and at the EHF EURO.

Abalo's first medal with France came at the EHF EURO 2006, scoring 23 goals in eight matches, with gold medals at the EHF EURO 2010 and the EHF EURO 2014.

The right wing also sealed gold medals at the IHF Men's World Championship at Croatia 2009, Sweden 2011 and France 2017, being an integral part of "Les Experts", the team who produced surefire domination in world handball.

Abalo's last medal came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, his third gold medal in the competition after Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In total, Abalo sealed 13 medals at major international competitions, playing for France between 2005 and 2021 with 859 goals in 289 matches.

The right wing is France's seventh top scorer in history while also being France's 12th most capped player.

"The first thing that comes to my mind when I am asked to say a word to my supporters and fans is "thank you." It was a lifetime experience for me to be able to inspire people through our passion for handball. It has been truly an honour to have your support, and I wish happiness to all who read these words. May the force be with you," said Abalo in a farewell message.