Football’s most iconic kisses from Neville’s smooch to Maradona’s on-pitch snog
It doesn’t need to be Valentine's Day for footballers to show some love to their team-mates – as we have seen on several memorable occasions in the past.
From the iconic smooch between Gary Neville and Paul Scholes to Steven Gerrard’s peck with Xabi Alonso, some of the biggest names in the game have not been afraid to show their sensitive side.
As well as modern stars, cult hero Paul Gascoigne and the late great Diego Maradona have also taken part in kissing celebrations, which have made our list.
Daily Star Sport have picked out six of the most recognisable snogs in football history, many of which have become iconic snapshots of the careers involved.
Gary Neville and Paul Scholes
Neville grabbed the face of his team-mate Scholes after the midfielder had headed home a later winner against Manchester City to keep their title hopes alive in early 2010.
The duo embraced at the final with a snog, in what could be the most famous one-off celebration of the modern era of Premier League football.
Neville has since said: “A few people have given me a bit of stick. But I’ve spoken to a lot of my mates who said they’d have done exactly the same if they’dd be able to get to him!”
Claudio Caniggia and Diego Maradona
Boca Juniors colleagues Claudio Caniggia and Diego Maradona failed to contain their emotions as they cruised to 4-1 victory over rivals River Plate in 1996.
The story says that Maradona had promised to give Caniggia a ‘brutal’ song if he scored in the fixture, which left his hands tied after netting a hat-trick.
Maradona sadly passed away back in November, with many of his iconic career moments resurfacing including this memorable snap.
Ivan Rakitic and Daniel Carrico
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Ivan Rakitic and Daniel Carrico kissed following Sevilla’s Europa League final victory over Benfica before the former joined Barcelona in 2014.
The Croatia international was the driving force behind the success of the team, and it was former Reading defender Carrico that he embraced while holding the trophy.
He said after their successful penalty shootout: “I am dead. Physically, mentally and emotionally we worked so hard.”
Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso
Liverpool supporters were well aware of the close relationship between Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso even before their close celebration following Champions League glory.
The midfield duo were overcome with emotion following the comeback win over AC Milan in Istanbul, with the Englishman puckering up to the Spaniard.
Alonso delivered, giving him a peck on the lips to the joy of their team-mates.
Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud
Former France and Arsenal team-mates Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud came together to celebrate after a goal against Germany back in 2012.
After the defender had assisted the forward, Giroud wanted to give his thanks.
He said: "I was simply thanking him.”
Paul Gascoigne and Ally McCoist
The fine partnership between Paul Gascoigne and Ally McCoist grew while they shared the pitch at Rangers.
The midfielder and the forward have plenty of stories off the pitch, but one picture that will live long in the memory is their kiss during a match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Gazza is said to have been kissing the Scot better after an accidental clash left him with a split lip.
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