While many of us are enjoying an extended holiday at this time, 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 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 their hair down as 18 of the 20 Premier League teams do not have a fixture until January 4.
Meanwhile, most LaLiga teams are currently without a game until January 11, while the hoards of stars in Saudi Arabia are also enjoying an extended break.
On New Year’s Eve Marcus Rashford uploaded a photo of himself sat on a sofa, with a framed Manchester United shirt on the wall behind him.
Rashford captioned the image with the words: ‘Happy New Years. 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 sub as United lost 2-0 to Newcastle on December 30, having been left out of the previous four matchday squads completely
The 27-year-old has been left out of the United squad by manager Ruben Amorim for four of the last five games, despite being physically fit to play.
He was an unused sub on Monday night when United were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle.
Rashford has spent his entire club career to date at Old Trafford but he recently admitted that he was ‘ready for a new challenge’.
His New Year’s message prompted multiple replies from United fans urging him not to leave.
‘Don’t leave brudda,’ read one comment, while another fan wrote: ‘Please stay’.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo also posted a positive New Year’s message on Instagram, where he wrote: ‘With gratitude for the year gone by, I step forward to embrace 2025.’
Gakpo accompanied the message with two photos. One showed the tiny hand of his 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, ex-Barcelona forwardNeymar– who is currently based in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal – celebrated the end of 2024 by throwing a Brazil-themed party in Abu Dhabi.
Cody Gakpo wrote: ‘With gratitude for the year gone by, I step forward to embrace 2025’
Gakpo shared a photograph of his hand next to that of his 2024-born baby son Samuel Seth
Neymar enjoyed some family time as he was joined by pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi and his son from a previous relationship.
Former Brazil captain Neymar documented the celebrations via social media, including sharing a photo of himself 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 as he broke the news that he had become a father for the first time.
Barkley shared a photo of himself staring lovingly at his new-born son Avery, alongside the words: ‘Best way to end the year.’
The ex-Everton star’s girlfriend, Katherine Pilkington, also took to Instagram on New Year’s Eve.
Pilkington revealed that her and Barkley’s son had been born on December 27.
Next to another cute baby photo, she wrote: ‘Avery 27.12.24. Can’t believe we get to keep you forever my perfect boy.’
Al-Hilal star Neymar (left) spent New Year’s Eve with his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi and his son
Brazilian Neymar saw in the New Year in Abu Dhabi, where he was joined by friends and family
Part of Neymar’s New Year’s celebrations included throwing a Brazil-themed party in the UAE
Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley announced on New Year’s Eve that he had become a dad
Barkley and partner Katherine Pilkington, pictured in November, both expressed their delight
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will be hoping to start 2025 better than his side ended 2024 – with four consecutive defeats.
Amorim shared his New Year’s message via United’s official social media channels.
Addressing the club’s fans, he wrote: ‘I would like to thank you on behalf of everyone at Manchester United for your loyal support, and wish you all the very best for the new year.
‘I know it will take a lot of hard work from everyone to get there, but I am very excited about where we can go together in 2025.’