Fabio Coentrao returns to football more than a year later

Fabio Coentrao is back. The one who was a side of Real Madrid or Real Zaragoza among others had been out of the green for a year and but will return to football soon. As reported by Radio Renascensa, the defender is passing the medical tests with the Rio Ave and is ready to return to practice.

The Portuguese has not played football professionally since May 2019 when he played the full match of matchday 33 of the Portuguese League precisely with Río Ave and against his old club, Benfica, against which he lost 2-3. In his last campaign, which ended more than a year ago, the one from Vila do Conde played 1970 minutes spread over 23 games in which he gave five assists, saw nine yellow cards and was sent off for a double warning up to two occasions. During that season, the Portuguese suffered several injuries but finished practically all the games he played, the vast majority as a starter.

On August 15 he already enigmatically warned of his return through social networks in a photo that he published with his wife and children. “The best thing that life has given me … The second is yet to come,” he said with several soccer ball emojis.

Thus, the international will return to resume his adventure in national football in the Ave River, just where it all began for the former Real Madrid player who at 32 still has football in his boots although he will not be able to increase his European record after the Río Ave fell in the penalty shoot-out in the last qualifying match for the Europa League against Milan.

“I know I still have a lot to give”

The player has written a few words on his personal Instagram account in which he has been very happy to return home.

“This was my starting point in the world of football. It was here that a journey began that led me to live an adventure of which I am proud and in which I have always brought Vila do Conde and Río Ave present. I stepped on the most famous scenes, the most popular lawns. I experienced emotions that I never imagined I could experience. I shared the “Olympus” with the “gods” of football. I conquered and helped to conquer what was unthinkable for a boy who one day left this city and this club. I came back … with the same passion that made me come back two years ago. Because this fire burns, because I know I still have a lot to give. Because here among us lives the same will to win and to fight that Fabio had who left here one day. And because … it is “at home” where we find the best of ourselves to give the Rio Ave … the Vila do Conde. It's good to be home. “