What is Fábio Coentrão's Net Worth?
Fábio Coentrão is a retired Portuguese professional soccer player who has a net worth of $10 million.
Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão's career spanned from 2004 to 2021, most notably featuring for Benfica and Real Madrid. A versatile left-sided player capable of operating as both a full-back and winger, Coentrão emerged from the Rio Ave youth system before establishing himself as one of Portugal's most promising talents at Benfica. His dynamic performances earned him a high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2011, where he won multiple UEFA Champions League titles and La Liga despite struggling with injuries. Coentrão earned 52 caps for the Portuguese national team, representing his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. Though his career was sometimes hampered by fitness issues and inconsistency, at his peak he was regarded as one of Europe's premier left-backs, combining attacking flair with defensive solidity.
Early Career and Rise at Benfica
Born in Vila do Conde on March 11, 1988, Coentrão began his football journey with local club Rio Ave. After making his professional debut at age 16, he quickly caught the attention of Portuguese giants Benfica, who signed him in 2007. Initially, Coentrão struggled to break into the first team and was loaned to several clubs, including Nacional and Zaragoza, where he began to develop his tactical versatility. The turning point came during the 2009-10 season when Benfica manager Jorge Jesus converted him from a winger to a left-back, a position where his speed, technique, and crossing ability could be maximized while improving his defensive capabilities.
Real Madrid Years
In 2011, Real Madrid paid €30 million to bring Coentrão to the Santiago Bernabéu. Though he faced stiff competition from Marcelo for the left-back position, Coentrão proved his worth in many crucial matches, particularly in the Champions League. His tactical discipline and work rate made him a trusted option for José Mourinho and later Carlo Ancelotti in high-stakes games. During his time in Madrid, he won two La Liga titles (2011-12, 2016-17) and two Champions League trophies (2013-14, 2016-17), though injuries frequently interrupted his momentum and limited his appearances.
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International Career
Coentrão's international career began with Portugal's youth teams, where he showed early promise. He made his senior debut in 2009 and quickly established himself as Portugal's first-choice left-back. His most significant tournaments were Euro 2012, where Portugal reached the semifinals, and the 2014 World Cup. However, in the latter competition, injury struck again, forcing him to leave Portugal's opening match against Germany, which would prove to be a recurring theme in his career. Despite these setbacks, when fit, he remained an important figure in the national team setup until 2017.
Later Career and Legacy
After leaving Real Madrid, Coentrão had a loan spell at Sporting CP before returning to his boyhood club Rio Ave in 2018. He spent his final professional years there, coming full circle in his career before retiring in 2021. Although injuries prevented him from fully realizing his potential, Coentrão's career highlights his remarkable journey from a small fishing town to the heights of European football. His tactical flexibility and technical ability made him a valuable asset to both club and country, while his story serves as a testament to the importance of adaptability in modern football, having successfully transformed from an attacking winger to an accomplished left-back at the highest level.
