Fabio Coentrao asks out of Portugal's World Cup squad after 'exhausting' season

An "exhausted" Fabio Coentrao has asked to be left out of Portugal's World Cup squad this summer.

Coentrao, who is on loan to Sporting Lisbon from Real Madrid, played in 43 matches over five different competitions this season

The 30-year-old left-back wrote on Instagram that he has informed Portugal boss Fernando Santos he did not believe he could meet the demands of a World Cup this year.

Na semana passada, depois de uma grande ponderação, dei conta ao Selecionador Nacional que, após uma época muito desgastante, sinto não estar nas condições necessárias para representar a Seleção numa prova com a exigência do Campeonato do Mundo. Jamais virarei as costas ao meu País, e espero poder vir a representar a nossa Seleção mais vezes no futuro. Até lá sou e serei sempre mais um a torcer por fora, até breve. Boa sorte pessoal. 🇵🇹

A post shared by Fábio Coentrão (@fabio_coentrao) on May 14, 2018 at 8:01am PDT

"In the last week, after a lot of thinking, I told the national team coach that, after a very exhausting season, I feel I don't have the necessary conditions to represent the national team," he wrote.

Coentrao has made 52 appearances for Portugal and has twice participated in the World Cup. He was kept out of his country's Euro 2016 triumph, however, because of a hamstring injury.

"I would never turn my back on my country, and I hope I can return to represent our national team more times in the future," he wrote. "Until then, I am and will always be cheering from afar, see you soon. Good luck everyone."

Also missing out on the World Cup will be Renato Sanches, who was voted best young player at Euro 2016 but has since struggled for form and fitness.

Sanches, 20, moved from Benfica to Bayern Munich after the tournament, but he failed to impress in limited appearances and was sent on loan to Swansea City, where he continued to underwhelm.

Portugal's 35-man squad

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Beto (Goztepe), Anthony Lopes (Lyon)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Pepe (Besiktas), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Rolando (Marseille), Luis Neto (Fenerbahce), Vitorio Antunes (Getafe), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona), Joao Cancelo (Inter Milan), Ricardo Pereira (Porto), Mario Rui (Naples), Ruben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Mario (West Ham United), Andre Gomes (Barcelona), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Adrien Silva (Leicester City), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), Sergio Oliveira (Porto)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Nani (Lazio), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas), Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow), Andre Silva (AC Milan), Gelson Martins (Sporting Lisbon), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ronny Lopes (Monaco), Paulinho (Braga)