RIO DE JANEIRO, April 10 -- Real Madrid loanee Abner said Tuesday that he is ready to bear the weight of expectation as he bids to rekindle his career with Brazilian club Coritiba.
The 21-year-old left-back joined his original club on a season-long loan last week after struggling for opportunities at the Bernabeu.
"I didn't get signed by Real Madrid by accident," Abner told reporters. "I hope to live up to everyone's expectations. I know the responsibility I have here at Coritiba. Right now my focus is on doing well for this club, not going back to Europe. Our goal is to get back to the Serie A."
Coritiba were relegated to Brazil's second tier last year after finishing 17th in the Serie A standings.
Abner has played just 24 matches for Real Madrid B since signing with the Spanish giants in 2017.
He was loaned out to Estoril last August but returned to the Spanish capital in February after falling out of favor with the Portuguese club.
Despite struggling with injuries and poor form during his time in Europe, Abner said he was indebted to Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane for showing faith in him.
"I thought about giving up football because of the injuries I had. But Zidane talked to me. He said that I was very young and that I have a big future ahead," Abner said.