Fabio Coentrao has blamed the eventual breakdown of his Real Madrid career on the Spanish Press, claiming he became their “ugly ducking”.
The left-back temporarily ended his four-year association with Los Blancos in August, having joined Monaco on a season-long loan, and he explained how the media’s constant vilification of his performances at the Santiago Bernabeu sapped his confidence.
“[On how his Madrid career panned out], maybe I lacked a little confidence, but let’s not forget that there was a lot of competition,” he told Marca.
“I played a lot but I think I could’ve played more and contributed more to the team.
“I also had bad luck with injuries at certain points of the season, which always interrupted my ability to compete.
“Honestly speaking [on whether the Press were unfair to him at Madrid]? Yes, I think I was.
“If I didn’t have the best of games then I was immediately attacked, and if I played well then I wouldn’t receive much credit.
“To this day, I wonder why I was, so to speak, the Press’ ugly duckling, but I still haven’t found an explanation and have become used to it.
“The issue [of Marcelo being Madrid’s only recognised left-back] doesn’t matter and it’s totally impossible to say what would've happened [had I stayed].
“I chose Monaco to play more, and they’re just what I needed. I want to play and win matches here.”
