Fábio Coentrão

Football player infobox
playername = Fábio Coentrão
fullname = Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão
nickname =


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1988|3|11
cityofbirth = Vila do Conde
countryofbirth = Portugal
height = height|m=1.78
currentclub = Real Zaragoza
clubnumber = 16
position = Attacking midfielder, left winger
youthyears =
youthclubs = Rio Ave FC
years = 2004-2007 2007-
2008 2008-2009
clubs = Rio Ave FC SL Benfica
→CD Nacional (loan)
→Real Zaragoza (loan)
caps(goals) = 28 (4) 3 (0) 16 (4)
nationalyears = 2006-2007
nationalteam = Portugal U-20
nationalcaps(goals) = 16 (5)
pcupdate = August 1, 2008
ntupdate = August 1, 2008

Fábio Alexandre da Silva Coentrão (born March 11, 1988 in Vila do Conde) is a Portuguese footballer, currently playing as winger for Spanish second division side Real Zaragoza, on loan from SL Benfica.

Club career

Coentrão joined hometown Rio Ave FC in 2004-2005, playing three 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 Cup of Portugal, ended by Sporting Clube de Portugal with a 2-1 win in Lisbon, with Coentrão scoring Rio Ave's goal, from 30 metres out. He was given the nickname "Figo das Caxinas" when he played for Rio Ave.

After that season in the second division, many clubs showed interest in him, most notably Sporting, SL Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea FC, with Coentrão choosing the "Encarnados" (reds) on July 2007. His playing style was likened to that of Arjen Robben by World Soccer Magazine in their "50 World Talents" 2007 issue.

On January 1, 2008, having receiving insignificant playing opportunities at Benfica, Coentrão joined Madeira's CD Nacional, loaned until the season's end. On May 3, he scored twice in a 3-0 away success against already crowned league champions FC Porto.

On July 15, 2008, Coentrão came close to signing with Eredivisie giants Feyenoord Rotterdam, with reports of a 1-year loan deal being announced on the internet. [ [http://www.portugoal.net/Benfica0708/200807152-Coentrao-Feyenoord.html Benfica's Coentrão loaned out to Feyenoord] ] However, two days later, he joined Real Zaragoza, freshly relegated into Spain's "Segunda División". [ [http://www.realzaragoza.com/r2z/paginas/noticias.php?id=2815 Coentrão, new Zaragoza player] es icon]

International career

An international in Portugal youth levels, Coentrão was voted MVP in the 2007 Madeira Cup, where he was also the top goalscorer. Subsequently, he represented the nation in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and debuted for the U21s.

References

External links

* [http://www.zerozero.eu/uk/jogador.php?id=19171&search=1 Stats and profile at zerozero.pt]