Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao defends smoking a cigarette on his birthday

This being the 21st century and knowing what we know about the dangers of smoking, fans do not want to see players from their favorite teams puffing on a cigarette. Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao has discovered that the hard way, as he recently made headlines when a photo surfaced of him smoking a cigarette outside a restaurant. Real Madrid fans were outraged when they saw it, but Coentrao insists it was a one-time thing.

“It was my birthday and it was an occasional thing,” Coentrao told the Record according to Goal.com. “I am very disappointed with what has been written in the press because no one can say anything bad about me. I am an excellent professional, I have always given everything for the clubs I have represented and it is not fair to put everything in doubt because of one isolated act.”

Amen. It certainly sets a bad example for the children who idolize soccer players, but it seems like a personal matter. As long as it doesn’t affect the way Coentrao gets up and down the pitch — which I’m guessing he does just fine if he’s on the Real Madrid roster — there’s no need to crucify him for it.

“Besides, it was reported that I had made a lot of noise in my house on that night and that is a complete lie,” Coentrao added.

Oh well in that case, puff away.

Photo Credit: Hugo Santos-US PRESSWIRE