Wayne Rooney, Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland among footballers celebrating Christmas

Football stars past and present are celebrating Christmas with their loved ones and sharing the joy on Instagram.

Some didn’t even wait until Christmas Day itself to get their slick family pictures onto social media.

Wayne Rooney shared a heart-warming pic with wife Coleen and their three youngest sons Klay, nine, Kit, six and Cass, four – plus an unsmiling Santa Claus – at Lapland UK.

Wayne Rooney went to see Santa Claus with wife Coleen and their three youngest sons 

Robert Lewandowski posed with wife Anna and their two girls for a festive Instagram snap

The Barcelona striker and his family were dressed up to the nines as they posed by the tree

Mohamed Salah and family meanwhile got more comfy with matching pyjama bottoms

Coleen posted the photo on her Instagram account first, labelling it an ‘amazing day’ and Wayne posted it on Friday.

Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski was also quick on the draw with the Christmas family pic.

Wearing a smart navy blazer and roll-neck top, he was seen posing with wife Anna and daughters Klara and Laura, who could well be fighting over a present.

The Poland striker wrote: ‘Wishing you a season full of light, love and laughter for you and your family. Merry Christmas.’

However, the picture of Robert and Anna leaning in to kiss each other was apparently exclusive to her Instagram account.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and family were a lot more dressed-down in their own picture in front of the Christmas tree, with the Egyptian, his wife Maggi and their two children Makka and Kayan wearing matching pyjamas.

Manchester City striker Robert Lewandowski posted a Christmas message on his Instagram

Haaland also took delivery of some Julebrus, a popular Norwegian soft drink at Christmas

Haaland also posted this image in which he wished his followers a Happy Christmas

Manchester City star Erling Haaland looked thrilled to receive a Christmas consignment of Norwegian drink Julebrus. 

The non-alcoholic soft drink, which has a red colour, is hugely popular among children in Haaland’s home country. 

In a separate tweet he also wrote: ‘Wishing you and your loved ones a merry Christmas!’

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, spending his first Christmas in England, posted the obligatory family shot in front of the tree with his partner Lorena Manas, her daughter Chloe and their son – also named Darwin.

Chelsea and Germany star Kai Havertz, meanwhile, posed for a not overtly festive snap with girlfriend Sophia Weber and their three dogs.

Darwin Nunez kisses his partner Lorena in a family photo with her daughter and their son

Chelsea star Kai Havertz and his girlfriend Sophia posed with their three dogs 

Steven Gerrard posted a festive picture with son Lio in his Liverpool-themed bedroom

Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos gives the thumbs up in his Christmas post

Mauricio Pochettino shared a picture on Instagram of him having a family meal out

Jesse Lingard visited children at hospital to gift Nottingham Forest themed presents

Reece James spent the day with children’s charity Barnados and the charities they work with

He captioned it: ‘Wishing you a Merry Christmas from us all’.

Steven Gerrard posted a pic with son Lio in his Liverpool-themed bedroom which features a mural of current Reds stars on the wall. 

Mauricio Pochettino, fresh off his duties as a World Cup pundit shared a picture from a night out with his family.

Jesse Lingard meanwhile posted four photos of him with young Nottingham Forest fans who he met during a hospital trip and in a meaningful message he wrote: ‘Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.’

Chelsea defender Reece James spent the day with children’s charity Barnados and spending time with the families they work with.