Fabio Coentrao: I was an ugly duckling in Spanish press

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.”