We at mancity.com decided to take a look at how Christmas is greeted in the home countries of our first team players.
Belgium – Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany
On the night of December 5th, kids leave their slippers near the fireplace with some carrots for the donkey, in exchange for which they receive chocolate and gingerbread.
Belgians eat their traditional meal on the 24th with turkey and vegetables as a main and then cougnous, which is pastry made in to the shape of Jesus.
That night there is a huge gathering in Brussels on the Grand-Place, where thousands light candles at midnight.
France – Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy
Christmas Eve is the most important day of the celebrations in France. For dinner, they have oysters followed by stuffed capon or turkey with vegetables and yule log for dessert.
Spain – David Silva, Jesus Navas, Nolito, Pablo Maffeo, Aleix Garcia, Angelino
Spanish people eat their turkey stuffed with mushrooms on the 24th before heading to a midnight mass. On their way home from the mass, people will often walk down the streets playing guitars and banging on drums.
On the 6th January, ‘The Festival of the Three Magic Kings’ is when most of the presents are opened after being left by the three wise men that delivered presents to baby Jesus.
Germany – Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane
Advent is important in Germany and fir tree calendars with little boxes or bags are kept in houses before families exchange presents on Christmas Eve.
Serbia – Aleksandar Kolarov
Serbian Orthodox Church still uses the ‘Julian’ calendar which means Christmas Day falls on the 7th of January. Throughout advent, many people will avoid eating food from animals before having roast pork on the day.
The arrival of Christmas day is usually greeted with the sound of church bells ringing and guns fired into the air!
Argentina – Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi, Willy Caballero
Many people in Argentina are Catholic which means the advent and the nativity are important celebrations for the country.
Most traditional meals are eaten at around 10 pm on Christmas Eve and can be made up of turkey or pork with panetone for dessert before Christmas Day is welcomed with fireworks.
Brazil – Fernando, Fernandinho
Brazilians have their dinner of turkey, pork, rice and raisins on the 24th of December with a dessert of tropical fruits and ice cream. Santa Claus, or ‘Papai Noel’ in Portuguese, comes during the night of 24th and leaves gifts under the tree.
Chile – Claudio Bravo
As it’s the middle of the summer in Chile, many people will have barbecues on the 24th that include chicken, turkey and pork before opening their presents at midnight on Christmas Day.
Santa is known as ‘Viejito Pascuero’ (Old Man Christmas).
Ivory Coast – Yaya Toure
Christmas Day is celebrated by local Christians with all-night church services that start on Christmas Eve and end at 6 am but presents are not exchanged until the new year.
Nigeria – Kelechi Iheanacho
Christmas Eve is often time for major parties that go throughout the night in Nigeria before the families go to church on Christmas morning.
Traditional meals can include turkey, beef, goat, sheep, ram or chicken.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
