While many of us are enjoying an extended holiday at the moment, the festive period is traditionally one of the busiest of the season for footballers.
With 16 teams in action on Boxing Day and the other four playing on December 27, most of the Premier League stars will have had to take it easy on Christmas Day.
But New Year’s Eve could provide an opportunity for some players to let loose, with 18 of the 20 Premier League teams without a game until January 4.
Meanwhile, most La Liga teams are currently out of action until January 11, while the star hordes in Saudi Arabia are also enjoying a long break.
On New Year’s Eve, Marcus Rashford uploaded a photo of himself sitting on a sofa, with a Manchester United shirt framed on the wall behind him.
Rashford captioned the image with the words: “Happy New Year.” May 2025 bring you all happiness.”
Man United striker Marcus Rashford shared a photo of himself via Instagram on New Year’s Eve.
Rashford was an unused substitute when United lost 2-0 to Newcastle on December 30, having been completely left out of the teams for the previous four matchdays.
Manager Ruben Amorim has left the 27-year-old out of the United squad for four of the last five games, despite being fit to play.
He was an unused substitute on Monday night as United lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle.
Rashford has spent his entire club career to date at Old Trafford, but recently admitted he was “ready for a new challenge.”
His New Year’s message sparked multiple responses from United fans urging him not to leave.
“Don’t leave bro,” one comment read, while another fan wrote: “Please stay.”
Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo also posted a positive New Year’s message on Instagram, writing: “With gratitude for the past year, I step forward to embrace 2025.”
Gakpo accompanied the message with two photographs. One showed the small hand of her son Samuel Seth, who was born in May. The other image, which had been taken as part of an October interview with GQ magazine, showed Gakpo petting his dog.
Meanwhile, former Barcelona striker Neymar, who currently resides in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, celebrated the end of 2024 by hosting a Brazilian-themed party in Abu Dhabi.
Cody Gakpo wrote: ‘With gratitude for the past year, I step forward to embrace 2025’
Gakpo shared a photo of his hand next to that of his son Samuel Seth, born in 2024.
Neymar enjoyed some family time as he was accompanied by his pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi and his son from a previous relationship.
Former Brazil captain Neymar documented the celebrations via social media, sharing a photo of him and Biancardi with the Abu Dhabi skyline in the background.
But Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley had more cause for celebration than most footballers on the final day of 2024 when he broke the news that he had become a father for the first time.
Barkley shared a photo of himself looking lovingly at his newborn son Avery, along with the words, “Best way to end the year.”
The former Everton star’s girlfriend Katherine Pilkington also took to Instagram on New Year’s Eve.
Pilkington revealed that she and Barkley’s son had been born on December 27.
Along with another cute baby photo, she wrote: ‘Avery 12.27.24. I can’t believe we can have you forever, my perfect boy.
Al-Hilal star Neymar (left) spent New Year’s Eve with his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi and their son.
Brazilian Neymar celebrated the New Year in Abu Dhabi, where he was accompanied by friends and family.
Part of Neymar’s New Year’s celebrations included a Brazil-themed party in the United Arab Emirates.
Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley announced on New Year’s Eve that he had become a father
Barkley and his partner Katherine Pilkington, photographed in November, expressed their joy.
