Fabio Coentrao in no condition to play for Real Madrid


Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao has admitted he is "in no condition" to play for the LaLiga club.

The injury-hit Portugal international, who missed his country's successful Euro 2016 campaign last summer due to fitness problems, has featured just four times for Zinedine Zidane's side this season.

His only start was in the 3-3 Champions League draw at Legia Warsaw in November, while his most recent appearance came as a second-half substitute in January's win over Granada.

"I'm in no condition to play for Real Madrid," he is quoted as telling Spanish newspaper Marca.

"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."

The 29-year-old former Benfica man, who has won LaLiga and the Champions League since arriving in Madrid in 2011, played 18 times during a loan spell with Ligue 1 club Monaco last season.

He has expressed his desire to remain at the Bernabeu beyond the current campaign but accepts he may have to leave in order to reinvigorate his career, with a return to Portugal a possibility.

"I want to return to my best next season," he added.

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

"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.

"Maybe returning to Portugal would help me recover the level of play I once had.

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

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