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Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard enjoy summer holidays

After scoring in back-to-back European finals, you could probably argue that Fernando Torres - who has been receiving flak for under-performing at Chelsea - deserves a bit of a break.

The striker scored in Chelsea's 2-1 Europa League victory over Portuguese side, Benfica, earlier last month. He scored 23 goals in 64 appearances this season, which can be seen as a significant improvement from his performance in previous years.

And what better way to kick off the "football summer" than a customary trip to the beautiful Balearic Islands of Ibiza?

The party hotspot is particularly popular with footballers during the hot summer seasons of Europe, and the 29-year-old Spaniard and his family have been frequent visitors to the island in the last three years.

Torres also chose the occasion to celebrate his third wedding anniversary to his wife Olalla, whom he married on 29 May 2010. He was then spotted playing on the beach with his daughter, Nora and son, Leo.

Although there has been speculation that Chelsea are planning to buy Edinson Cavani to boost their squad next season, Torres is adamant that he will stay at the London side to play for Jose Mourinho.

"I have three more years (on my) contract so I'm expecting to stay at least three years. We want to go back to the Champions League next season and keep winning trophies," he said recently.

"I think we have a great squad and a young squad to build on. We are sure that we are a great team and we want to show everyone. I would like to be involved."

Speaking of summer beach holidays, injured England captain Steven Gerrard also took advantage of his unexpected "break" to celebrate his 33rd birthday in Portugal.

Gerrard, who is suffering from a shoulder injury, missed out on England's 2-2 friendly draw against Brazil at the Maracana last weekend.

The Liverpool stalwart's wife Alex, posted a lovely holiday photo with her husband as they enjoyed a private pool and jacuzzi in the Mediterranean country.

Italian striker Mario Balotelli recently revealed a photo of his new Nike boots, which bore the name of his girlfriend, Fanny, alongside his.

It's a huge step for the 22-year-old, whose relationship with the Belgian model was said to be "on the rocks" previously after she flew off from Milan to be away from him in April.

However, late last month, photos of Balotelli and Fanny walking down the Italian high street stores emerged in the paparazzi.

Traditionally, footballers are allowed to have personalised inscriptions on their boots as a sign of good luck. Lionel Messi had his son's name, Thiago, inscribed on his boots throughout Barcelona's 2012/13 campaign.

The controversial AC Milan striker has been included in Cesare Prandelli's finalized Confederations Cup squad for Italy, after the coach made his final selection last night.