The former full-back decided to retire at the age of 33, having played alongside Ronaldo at both club level and for his country, Portugal.
Both became friends on and off the pitch, but unlike the current Al Nassr star, Coentrao opted not to play deep into his 30s.
The ex-Portugal international had plied his trade in the Spanish capital between 2011 and 2018, making over 100 appearances for Los Blancos and winning the Champions League twice in that time.
Following his departure, he went onto play for Rio Ave in his home nation, before deciding to hang up his boots for good. Coentrao then embarked on his passion, fishing.
He bought his first boat while at the Bernabeu due to his father being a huge ocean enthusiast.
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"The roots have been here since I was born," Coentrao said as quoted by The Sun.
"My father always had a boat, he was really into fishing. I used to go a lot with my father. I liked it very much.
"Whenever I had that bit of time off, whenever I was on holiday, my life was... it was the sea, it was fishing.
"And of course I knew that one day football would end, I would have to take another direction in my life.
"My happiness is this land, the sea. And obviously that being so, I want to lead this life."
Coentrao has since been working across three ships, building a team of 45 people which includes younger people.
While Ronaldo loves superyachts, Coentrao is happy being a trawler.