Man United outcast Marcus Rashford sends message to fans and Neymar parties with his pregnant girlfriend in Abu Dhabi as footballers welcome the New Year

While many of us are enjoying extended holidays at this time, the festive period is traditionally one of the busiest times of the season for footballers.

With sixteen teams in action on Boxing Day and the other four on December 27, most Premier League stars will have had to take it easy on Christmas Day.

But New Year’s Eve could provide a chance for some players to hang their heads, with 18 of the 20 Premier League teams not having a match until January 4.

Meanwhile, most La Liga teams are currently without a match until January 11, while Saudi Arabia’s big stars are also enjoying an extended break.

On New Year’s Eve, Marcus Rashford uploaded a photo of himself sitting on a sofa, with a framed Manchester United shirt on the wall behind him.

Rashford captioned the image with the words: ‘Happy New Year. May 2025 bring you all the happiness.”

Rashford was an unused substitute as United lost 2–0 to Newcastle on 30 December, having been completely left out of the previous four matchday squads.

The 27-year-old has been left out of United’s squad for four of the last five games by manager Ruben Amorim, despite being physically fit to play.

He was an unused substitute on Monday evening as United were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle.

Rashford has spent his entire club career so far at Old Trafford, but he recently admitted he was ‘ready for a new challenge’.

His New Year’s message prompted several responses from United fans urging him not to leave.

“Don’t leave brudda,” read one response, while another fan wrote: “Please stay.”

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo also posted a positive New Year’s message on Instagram, writing: “With gratitude for the year gone by, I step forward to embrace 2025.”

Gakpo accompanied the message with two photos. One showed the small hand of his son Samuel Seth, who was born in May. The other photo, taken as part of an October interview with GQ magazine, showed Gakpo petting his dog.

Meanwhile, ex-Barcelona striker Neymar – who is currently based at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia – celebrated the end of 2024 by throwing a Brazil-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 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 reason to celebrate 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 gazing lovingly at his newborn son Avery, writing, “The 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 was born on December 27.

Alongside another adorable baby photo, she wrote: ‘Avery 27.12.24. I can’t believe we can keep you my perfect boy forever.”

Al-Hilal star Neymar (left) spent New Year’s Eve with his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi and his son

Brazilian Neymar celebrated New Year’s Eve in Abu Dhabi, where he was joined by friends and family

Part of Neymar’s New Year celebrations included throwing a Brazil-themed party in the UAE

Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley announced on New Year’s Eve that he has become a father

Barkley and partner Katherine Pilkington, pictured in November, both expressed their joy