Haaland, Messi, Ronaldo among stars enjoying their holidays

Chris WrightToe Poke writerJul 6, 2023, 10:40 AM6 Minute Read
Soccer stars from the top leagues are taking a much-needed break this summer after a long and grueling season that also had a World Cup in the middle of it.Instagram @cristianoronaldo

After a bout of international fixtures that for some extended the campaign even further, at long last holiday season is well and truly under way, with some of the game's biggest stars sharing their sunlit snapshots.

From tropical beaches to idyllic getaways to Las Vegas parties, players have been willing to offer us a fleeting glimpse into their lavish offseason sojourns via social media.

Manchester City

Erling Haaland

With a league, cup and European treble in the bag, the Manchester City squad quite rightly spent several days celebrating their triumph before most players scattered to the four winds either on international duty, holiday or in some instances, both.

Almost as soon as the City parade bus had returned to the depot, star striker Haaland reported for international duty with Norway where he joined Martin Odegaard for back-to-back Euro 2024 qualifiers against Scotland and Cyprus. Haaland's unrelenting form continued as the City powerhouse scored another three goals over the course of the two games.

With national duty out of the way and his season finally officially complete, Haaland escaped to Ibiza for a well-earned summer break, but not before stopping off in Barcelona and reuniting with Rodri in order to attend the wedding of City teammate Aymeric Laporte.

Jack Grealish

The life and soul of City's lively treble celebrations, Grealish eventually found time to power down with six nights spent unwinding in one of the world's most laid-back and relaxing retreat destinations: Las Vegas.

The England winger was spotted partying with DJ Tiesto after watching the Dutch producer's show at Zouk Nightclub as a giant message congratulating him on winning the Champions League appeared on the electronic screen outside his luxury hotel.

Phil Foden

After winning a treble at the age of 23, Foden travelled to Greece for a celebratory holiday. While likely under instruction to rest up ahead of the new season, the young midfielder still made sure to keep his skills honed with a quick bout of keepie-uppies on the veranda.

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Martin Odegaard

Prior to fulfilling his international commitments with Norway, Arsenal midfielder Odegaard managed to squeeze in a quick summer jaunt with his partner, Helene. The pair enjoyed a cycle ride and spent plenty of time lounging in the sun.

Mason Mount

With a big transfer to Manchester United in the works, Mount took his mind off matters by giving a little back. Indeed, the England midfielder joined Captain America and Buzz Lightyear at a charity event hosted by Disney UK.

Harry Kane

Tottenham striker Harry Kane made a guest appearance on "Good Morning America," where he once again reiterated his dream of becoming an NFL kicker once his soccer career draws to a close.

The 29-year-old also demonstrated his potential to any potential scouts in the audience by nailing a long-distance field goal on air.

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Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior

Undoubtedly the busiest of all Real Madrid players so far this summer has been Vinicius Junior, who has been clocking up the miles on his off-season tour of the United States.

As part of a packed itinerary, the 22-year-old Brazil international kicked things off by bumping into Jay-Z after flying into London to watch Beyonce perform at the Tottenham Stadium in late May.

Vinicius then travelled to Orlando, Florida, where he was scheduled to take part in a charity exhibition match organised by Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos. One of many big names involved, the Real forward played for both sides during the game, which unfortunately had to be abandoned in the second half because of inclement weather and persistent crowd trouble.

After escaping from the chaos unscathed, Vinicius finally managed to grab himself a brief moment of tranquility down on the waterfront in Miami.

He then reunited with Selecao teammate and friend Neymar as the pair were spotted courtside at the Kaseya Center in Miami for the NBA Finals, with the Miami Heat taking on the Denver Nuggets.

Having got his basketball fix in Florida, Vinicius then flew on to Rio de Janeiro, where he was afforded the chance to try his hand at a different sport. Indeed, the Real winger was seen flexing his NFL chops during a light training session with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Jude Bellingham

After formally wrapping up his move to Real Madrid, Bellingham darted to the south of France for a family holiday that involved larking on the river and milling about on the Riviera with his younger brother, Jobe.

Dressed up to the nines, the Bellingham siblings then flew into the French capital in time to attend the see Pharrell Williams take centre stage as part of the Louis Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week.

David Alaba

Similarly sharply dressed, Alaba began his summer break by taking in the sights and even walking the pits at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix in Monaco.

After returning to Austria for international duty, the veteran defender jetted onto Paris for Fashion Week and even took part in a photoshoot and hosted a gala show on behalf of fashion brand Wales Bonner.

Eduardo Camavinga

Camavinga's summer holidays got underway with a trip to Morocco, where it's reported he also spent time with fellow Les Bleus internationals Dayot Upamecano, Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani, as well as Moroccan internationals Sofyan and Nordin Amrabat.

It wasn't all palm trees, open shirts and beach vibes for Camavinga, though, as the France midfielder also shared a few pics of him sweating off the excess while running on the treadmill in his private gym.

Paris Saint-Germain

Kylian Mbappe

After scoring 41 goals in 43 games for Paris Saint-Germain last season, Mbappe travelled across the Atlantic for a summer holiday that began with a trip to Miami Beach in Florida. The forward was seen playing paddle tennis and even partaking in an engrossing game of giant Jenga on the sunbaked sand as he whiled away the hours with his friends.

As night fell, Mbappe pulled on his finest satin shirt and hit the town, hanging out by the pool at what appeared to be a completely empty house before settling down on the couch and putting his feet up.

Neymar

Seemingly on permanent vacation, Neymar's grand summer tour began with a trip to Monte Carlo to witness the Formula 1 action unfold while mingling with a raft of celebrity faces, including Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton at the Monte Carlos Grand Prix.

The PSG forward then joined Brazil teammate Vinicius Junior in Miami to watch the Heat host the Nuggets in the NBA Finals, even grabbing a courtside handshake with Heat star Jimmy Butler.

Neymar then staged a lavish gender reveal party, during which it was confirmed that he and partner Bruna Biancardi are expecting a baby girl, via the medium of pink pyrotechnics.

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The 31-year-old was also presented with a couple of awards at the Fui Clear gala staged at the Hotel Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. First held in 2022, the awards show acknowledges the best performing Brazilian footballers at both home and abroad and saw Neymar pick up a trinket or two, alongside fellow winners Richarlison and Vinicius.

Superstars

Cristiano Ronaldo

After a disappointing debut season in the Saudi Pro League that saw Al Nassr finish without a trophy, Ronaldo recuperated while on holiday with his family. The Portuguese veteran was all smiles as he shared a pic of him in the pool with a couple of his kids.

Lionel Messi

After slogging through one of the longest, most arduous and ultimately successful seasons of his entire career, Messi was finally able to enjoy a little down time ahead of his much-publicised transfer to MLS.

With a bit of assistance from his children, Messi blew out the candles on his 36th-birthday cake before escaping for an overdue holiday and time on the beach in the Bahamas with wife Antonella, before having to report to his first training session as an Inter Miami player later this month.

Karim Benzema

After securing a lucrative transfer from Real to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, Benzema left the football world far behind in search of a little rest and relaxation on the island of Reunion in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Ahead of his new challenge in the Saudi Pro League, the veteran striker recharged his batteries with some family time by the pool at his luxury villa.

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