Monaco's Fabio Coentrao looking to validate world-class status

Midway through a season-long loan at Monaco, full-back Fabio Coentrao wants to prove he's among the world's best.

"I still have six months to prove my worth," Coentrao told Portuguese outlet Record, courtesy of ESPN FC.

The Portuguese international joined the principality side in the summer on loan from Real Madrid, as Les Rouges et Blancs boss Leonardo Jardim was desperate to fill the void vacated by Layvin Kurzawa's move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"I can get back to my best level and be newly recognised as one of the best in the world," Coentrao said. "That's why I left Real. I could have stayed and settled for what I had - whether I played or not."

Ambitious words from the 27-year-old left-back, whose loan to the South Coast coincided with Real's summer signing of Danilo, who has appeared in 12 league matches for Los Blancos this season, platooning with Dani Carvajal in Rafa Benitez's squad.

Coentrao's acclimation to Ligue 1 has been anything but straightforward, as the 51-time capped Selecao member has shared the left-back duties at the Stade Louis II with Elderson Echiejile. Coentrao has made seven league starts to the Nigerian's 10.