Real Madrid Accepts fate

Coentrao struggling with persistent injuries

536 day absence for Coentrao

It has been a long term struggle for fitness and it seems that left-back Fabio Coentrao has given up on returning for Real Madrid after such a lengthy hiatus.

The Portuguese left-back has hardly featured at all this season and is expected to leave the club as a result, as a younger and fitter replacement for Marcelo may be found.

"I'm in no condition to play for Real Madrid," Coentrao lamented. "I want to return to my best next season.

"I have a contract with Real Madrid until 2019, so if they continue to count on me, perfect - if not I'll choose my own path."

It hasn't been an easy season given such injuries and struggling for fitness.

"Maybe returning to Portugal would help me recover the level of play I once had," he continued. "We should all admit our limitations at some point in our lives and I feel that right now this club demands a level of play I'm not at."

At the age of 29, Coentrao is hoping to overcome this hurdle and believes he still has several years of football left in him.

"I hope to play three or four more years at the highest level," he concluded. "I know I can do it."