Kick Off: Stars post holiday snaps; Gerrard tests positive for COVID-19

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

Top Headline

Family time! Messi & Lewy pose with wags, the Ronaldo family dress in red

A look into the stars' Christmas: Ronaldo poses with a big family while Messi and Antonella took a lovely picture in front of the Christmas tree. 

Gerrard will MISS Aston Villa's next two games after testing positive for Covid

Gerrard will not be in the dugout for the Boxing Day clash at home to Chelsea or Tuesday's trip to Leeds.

Footballers who retired in 2021: Aguero, Rooney & Robben lead a list of legends

Transfermarkt has summed up the stars who retired in 2021. 

These Things Happen

Arsenal and West Ham trained on Christmas morning ahead of Boxing Day games

Arsenal and West Ham players reported to training early on Christmas Day morning as they step up their Premier League preparations for their Boxing Day matches.

Nigeria’s Afcon 2021 squad confirmed: Eguavoen names Napoli’s Osimhen and Everton’s Iwobi

Coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced his final 28-man Nigeria squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Aston Villa boss and Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard reignites his rivalry with Chelsea on Boxing Day

If things had been different, Steven Gerrard could have been receiving a hero's welcome when he hosts Chelsea at Villa Park on Boxing Day.

What happened to Roque Santa Cruz? Ex-Man City star still winning trophies at 40

While Santa may be on the mind of many football fans both young and old this Christmas, over in Paraguay, it is a name synonymous with grabbing goals, rather than giving presents.

This is how Laporta and Barcelona found enough money to sign Ferran Torres

Ferran Torres could become a Barcelona player in the January transfer window.

FC Barcelona's 2021 by the numbers: Busquets played the most games

And so we come to the end of 2021. It's been a testing year at FC Barcelona, but nevertheless the team still managed to come out of it with a major title, the Copa del Rey. Let's take a numerical look back at the last 12 months.

What They Say

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal's striker situation is casting a 'cloud' over the club

Mikel Arteta has admitted the situation involving Arsenal's forwards has cast a cloud over the club but is hopeful it can be resolved soon.

Chelsea's Tuchel and D Smith of Norwich describe Christmas schedule as 'lunacy'

Thomas Tuchel and Dean Smith have criticised the decision to go ahead with the packed fixture schedule despite the Omicron outbreak.

Arteta talks Lacazette and Nketiah futures; wants commitment from Aubameyang

Mikel Arteta has revealed he is trying to resolve what he sees as a "cloud" of varying issues hanging over his Arsenal forward options.

Grealish exclusive: Man City move has been so much more difficult than I thought

Jack Grealish has told Sky Sports life at Man City has been "much more difficult" than he expected - and that he has "so much more" to give the club.

In-Depth

The dramatic title race that changed dramatically after Christmas 50 years ago

In August 1971, Brian Clough was the sort of manager his later self might have mocked.

What happened to the Premier League teams who led the table on Christmas Day?

It's a good omen in English football. If you're team's top of the pile while you tuck into your Christmas turkey, you stand a pretty good chance of winning the Premier League the following summer.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Antonela shares a video clip of Messi & her dancing together

Fixture of the Day

EPL

Man City vs Leicester 2021/12/26 15:00 UTC

Norwich vs Arsenal 2021/12/26 15:00 UTC