Former Real Madrid star
Once as a defender at the top of the world, in the future as a fisherman on the sea: Fabio Coentrao is changing his saddle
Fabio Coentrao (left) with his teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe at Real Madrid (archive picture from 2017)
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Fabio Coentrao was once one of the best left-backs in the world. Now the Portuguese has finished his career – and works as a fisherman.
Fishing net instead of football boots: Long-time Portuguese international Fabio Coentrao is breaking new ground in his career after retiring and will go to sea in the future.
“Life at sea is no shame, as many people think. It’s a job like any other. And not only that. The sea is beautiful and we need it, there has to be people who work here and the job has to be like everyone else others are respected, “Coentrao told the Portuguese TV broadcaster Empower Brand Channel.
Fabio Coentrao: Title collector with Real Madrid
Coentrao was under contract with Real Madrid from 2011 to 2018 and during this time won the Spanish championship and the Champions League twice alongside his Portuguese teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
After interim loans to AS Monaco and Sporting Lisbon, he finally said goodbye to Los Blancos in 2018. Most recently, the 33-year-old ended his career with his youth club Rio Ave FC. The left-back’s contract ended there last summer.
Coentrao already considered taking up his father’s profession after his career ended during his time at Real Madrid. It was then that he bought his first own fishing boat.
Coentrao: “My life was the sea and fishing”
“People who love the sea and want to experience the sea have to follow their will, their dream,” explained Coentrao. “It’s also a job for the new generations. My father had a boat, he was a fisherman and I always went with him as a child. My life was the sea: the sea and fishing.”
And so the plan for a professional career as a fisherman became more and more concrete. “Of course I knew that one day football would stop and that I would have to reorient myself in my life. And my luck is this boat and that is the life I want to lead,” said Coentrao.