Former Real Madrid star and Cristiano Ronaldo’s best friend Fabio Coentrao now working as a fisherman

Former Real Madrid star and Cristiano Ronaldo’s best pal, Fabio Coentrao has gone into the fishing business.

Coentrao aged 33, retired after spending last season at Portuguese side Rio Ave, and he has now gone back to his childhood passion of fishing.

Coentrao won 13 trophies during a successful playing career, with his best days coming at Madrid where two La Liga titles and two Champions League honours came his way.

The Portuguese star struck up a friendship with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, 36, during his time in the Spanish capital and they are both widely regarded as best friends on and off the pitch.

Sea fishing is a profession that runs in Coentrao’s family. He has now bought fishing boats and is now into full time fishing.

Explaining his new career to Empower Brand Channel, he said:

 “Life in the sea is not a shame, as many people think.

 

“It is a job like any other. Not only that. The sea is beautiful and we need it, it has that there are people working here and the profession should be respected like any other.”

 “People who love the sea and who want to experience the sea need to follow his will, his dream.

“It is also a job for the new generations. My father had a boat, he used to fish and always went with him as a child. My life was the sea: the sea and fishing.

“Of course, I knew that football would one day end and that I should take a new direction in my life. And my happiness is this boat and this is the life I want to lead.”