Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Alexandre da Silva Coentrao (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈfabju kwẽˈtɾɐ̃w̃]; born 11 March 1988) is a Portuguese retired footballer. Mainly a left-back, he also operated as a winger and occasionally as a defensive midfielder.

After starting playing professionally with Rio Ave, he signed for Benfica at 19, going on to be loaned several times before becoming an important member of the first team, as a left-back. In 2011, he joined Real Madrid.

A Portuguese international over eight years, Coentrao represented the nation in two World Cups and one European Championship.

Club Career

Rio Ave

Born in Vila do Conde, Coentrao grew up in the Caxinas fishing neighbourhood, as did his long-time international teammates Bruno Alves and Helder Postiga. He joined his hometown's Rio Ave F.C. in 2004 at the age of 16, playing three Primeira Liga games in the following season for a northern side that would be relegated. In 2006–07 he established himself as first-choice, as Rio Ave barely missed promotion back and had a good run in the Taca de Portugal, ended by Sporting CP with a 2–1 win in Lisbon; whilst playing for the club, he earned the nickname "Figo das Caxinas".

After that season, where he was voted the divisions' Breakthrough Player of the Year, many clubs showed interest in Coentrao, most notably Sporting and S.L. Benfica, with him choosing the latter in July 2007. His playing style was likened to that of Arjen Robben by World Soccer Magazine, in its 50 World Talents 2007 issue.

Benfica

On 1 January 2008, having received insignificant playing opportunities at Benfica, Coentrao joined Madeira's C.D. Nacional on loan until the end of the season. On 3 May, he scored twice in a 3–0 away victory against already crowned league champions FC Porto.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Фабиу Коэнтрау (russian)