Ex-Real Madrid star Fabio Coentrao is now living a very different life after retiring from football

Former Real Madrid star Fabio Coentrao is now living a very different life after calling time on his stellar career.

Coentrao will be most remembered for his illustrious spell at Real, where he made 106 appearances across all competitions.

He helped the Spanish giants win two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies and played alongside fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese, who also played for the likes of Benfica, AS Monaco, Sporting CP and Rio Ave, walked away from the sport aged 33 before pursuing another profession - fishing.

He transitioned to life as a fisherman after retiring from football, having brought his first fishing bout while on the books at Real.

The former left-back was raised to love the ocean by his father after going fishing with him when he was younger.

"The roots have been here since I was born," he said via The Sun.

"My father always had a boat, he was really into fishing. I used to go a lot with my father. I liked it very much.

"Whenever I had that bit of time off, whenever I was on holiday, my life was... it was the sea, it was fishing.

"And of course I knew that one day football would end, I would have to take another direction in my life."

Fabio Coentrao celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo during their time together at Real Madrid. Image: Getty

Coentrao, now 36, added: "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."

In 2022, Coentrao had built a team of 45 people, working across three active ships.

He is delighted to have several younger people working with him as he is passionate about getting people to follow in his footsteps by working in the industry.