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Player Profile: Fabio Coentrao 

Fabio CoentraoFull name: Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 11 March 1988
Birthplace: Vila do Conde, Portugal

 

Several seasons of flattering to deceive appeared to have come to a happy conclusion as Fabio Coentrao made an explosive start to the 2009/10 season, playing a big role in Benfica’s sensational start to the campaign under new coach Jorge Jesus.

Coentrao's skilful footwork, high-speed dribbling and pinpoint crossing, combined with thunderous shooting from distance, make him a good bet to maintain Portugal’s recent tradition of producing world-class wingers.
 
Coentrao joined hometown club Rio Ave in 2004/05. He made his debut in the top flight at the tail end of the season, but as the club were relegated it was in the second division that Coentrao really began to turn heads.
 
He established himself as an undisputed starter as Rio Ave’s storming season ended in heartbreak as they just missed out on promotion back up to the top flight. That season also highlighted what has become something of a trademark of the player – a scorer of spectacular long-range goals. His 30-metre strike against Sporting in the Portuguese Cup nearly caused a major upset.
 

Highly sought-after

By the end of the season Sporting, Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea were all credited with an interest in contracting Coentrao, with the player plumping for Lisbon giants Benfica. But things did not immediately work out well for him at the Estadio da Luz. Coentrao was loaned out successively to Nacional, Real Zaragoza and Rio Ave. He had his moments at both Portuguese clubs, but a disastrous time and disciplinary problems in Spain raised questions about the player’s attitude as he struggled to live up to the big expectations.
 
That all changed in the summer of 2009. Jorge Jesus insisted on keeping Coentrao in the Benfica squad, despite the arrival of a flurry of big-money new signings. This time Coentrao was determined he would not just make up the numbers. “You’re going to see a different Fabio Coentrao this year,” he promised, and he was as good as his word.
 
Playing anywhere along the left flank he has flourished, and along with Di Maria, Ramires, David Luiz and Javi Garcia is considered one of the pearls driving the emergence of an exciting new Benfica team. Interestingly, Jorge Jesus has not been averse to playing Coentrao at left-back, a role he has duly performed with commendable assurance, and a long-term problem position of the seleccao.

International career

A regular for many years at U21 level, Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz was so confident of Coentrao’s abilities he gave him his senior debut in the crunch World Cup play-off tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Estadio da Luz. Although Portugal are blessed with an embarrassment of riches as regards wide players, Coentrao may well force himself onto the plane for South Africa given his versatility.

by Tom Kundert (18/01/2010)

Club Appearances* Goals
Rio Ave 44 7
Nacional (loan) 16 4
Zaragoza (loan) 1 0
Benfica** 15 0
     
 PORTUGAL 1 0

* League appearances only
** Up to January 2010

Comments (10)
NOT LEAVING!!!
10 Friday, 17 June 2011 20:27
Mike F. Tavares Jr.\ USA R.I, Pawtucket
In my personal opinion i think that Coentrao should stay were he is. Real offered him a salary of 120,000 and so did Benfica, we need all help possible. Didn't he also say he was happy with Benfica and is not worrying about transfering.
jersey number
9 Thursday, 26 May 2011 10:01
Malaysia
i think he should wearing jersey number 3 by replacing paul konchesky
transfer
8 Tuesday, 12 April 2011 07:24
lukman nigeria
the replacement of gael clichy.
request
7 Sunday, 13 March 2011 09:10
muhammed aneel
plzzz join arsenal u hve my ultimate dream to joinng of arsenal pleaze
ur playing style
6 Saturday, 15 January 2011 08:45
niraj
i m from NEPAL and i watched ur game.It was far better than others like RIO FERDINAND,LUCIO,and even cristiano ronaldo.I like ur game very very very much
Best player
5 Tuesday, 24 August 2010 17:36
Fernanda/USA
Fabio was by far the best player on the field this year. The poor guy was doing it all, he wasn't wasting any time acting like he was hurt! Nothing went by him. I was in Portugal this summer and everyone wanted a shirt with HIS name on it! Way to go Fabio...you have just become our family' favorite player!
my favorite
4 Thursday, 19 August 2010 03:03
Andrew/america
he's my favorite left field player and full back
transfer
3 Friday, 30 July 2010 17:08
jaime south africa
is he leaving anywere? or staying at benfica
Great Job
2 Wednesday, 30 June 2010 23:12
Sara/ America
I think he did a great job playing against spain. he was always on top and trying to get the ball away even though he had fallen a couple of times he got back up and did what he was suppose to do out there. great defending!..
jersey no
1 Tuesday, 29 June 2010 20:41
India
jersey no?

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