Barcelona midfielder, Javier Mascherano has joined the likes of Real Madrid legend, Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent,Jordge Mendes to defend the Real Madrid star who was criticised by fans for ‎celebrating his birthday shortly after his team suffered a heavy defeat on Saturday.

‎The Argentine told reporters that  footballers are humans too and are also entitled to pursue personal interests.

 “Everyone lives as he likes and I am not somebody who will tell somebody else how they should live their life. We are people, human beings. Often people forget that beyond being professionals and beyond being in front of a camera, we have personal lives as well and can live as we choose.

“Let’s not forget that we are people and we have the right to live our life in the private sphere and people need to understand that.” He concluded.‎