Fabio Coentrao admits to losing out on 'a lot of money'
Fabio Conetrao has revealed he forfeited 'a lot of money' by cancelling his contract with Real Madrid, but says happiness will always be more important to him than his bank balance.
Coentrao is back in his native Portugal having mutually terminated his contract with Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old had one year left on his deal at the Bernabeu but agreed to leave without compensation after it became clear he had no future with the Spanish club.
Conetrao eventually joined hometown club Rio Ave on transfer deadline day and said he had no regrets over his decision.
"I waited until the 31st for a call from [Sporting], to which I gave everything I had last year, and I got zero calls," Coentrao told 'Record'. "It's sad."
"After that, I thought I needed to be happy and I lost a lot of money to get that happiness at [Rio Ave], a club that has always acted well and faithful to me.
There is no money that can pay for happiness. I was born poor. I don't mind dying poor."
Rio Ave are currently fifth in the Portuguese league.