Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate retired to become a fisherman

After winning Champions League and La Liga titles, Fabio Coentrao swapped his boots for trawlers a few years ago and is loving life in the sea. The 35-year-old played for Real Madrid, Benfica and the Portugal national team.

He retired at 33 after a successful career, which included sharing a dressing room with some of the world's top players like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Unlike Ronaldo, Coentrao decided to leave the game of football early into his 30s. Ronaldo has continued to play beyond his mid-30s and looks like he could play into his 40s. Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Coentrao has played 363 games in his career, with 106 of them from Real Madrid. He's also played for Benfica, Sporting CP and Monaco, per Transfermarkt.

Conetrao: From football to fishing

According to Talksport, the former left-back bought his first bough while still playing for Real Madrid and is now an established fisherman.

"The roots have been here since I was born," Coentrao said. "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."

He admits that ocean life is now his life and wants to do it as long as he lives.

"My happiness is this land, the sea. And obviously that being so, I want to lead this life."

Coentrao reportedly owns a fleet of fishing boats and is happy doing his dream job.