cashew | Monday, May 31st, 2021

Neymar repeatedly kills Agüero in Among Us

OK, for those who are not in the fútbol world, Neymar and Agüero are both close friends of Messi. Neymar played with Messi for four years at the club level while Agüero played (and continues to play) with Messi on the Argentina national team since they were teenagers.

Messi and Agüero have known each other since they were 16 years old (Messi was on the cusp of his 17th birthday), and since they're both born in June, and that's when national team tournaments happen, the two of them have spent every single birthday together. Agüero describes their relationship as an old married couple and Messi has repeatedly requested that Agüero be his roommate during national team tournaments, even when they're supposed to be rooming individually. Messi also texted Agüero to the tune of, quote, you're not cheating on me are you?. To which Agüero replied, quote, no, I'm faithfully yours when it comes to the national team. Yup, they have a totally healthy, not at all codependent relationship.

Meanwhile, Neymar is a huge fan of Messi and will tell anyone who will listen that Messi is his idol. Neymar was captain of the Brazilian national team in 2014 World Cup and was put out of the competition early on due to an almost career ending back injury. During this time, Messi was one of the first people to call him up and check in on him. In a press conference right before the final where Argentina plays Germany, Neymar came out and said he's cheering for Argentina (even though most Brazilians cheer against Argentina due to the Argentina-Brazil rivalry) because he's "Messi FC". Neymar also said he'll defend Messi, quote, to the death. Because yeah, that's not at all weird, Ney. You totally don't sound like a crazed fanboy.

So, I find it really cute that Neymar and Agüero also seemed to have become good friends, even though their only real point of contact is through Messi. (Neymar and Agüero play for different teams both on the club and national level, so there really isn't much chance for them to become friends without going through their shared connection via Messi.) And I find it hilarious that Neymar's trying to kill Agüero so much in the game, because...well, it totally feeds my RPF headcanon that Neymar's mildly jealous of the close relationship Agüero has with Messi.

BTW, if you think it's just my slashy goggles that's seeing things, even the male fans can't help seeing it.

( Messi/Agüero, aka Kunessi, aka 玫瑰 )

VERSUS

( Messi/Neymar, aka Neymessi, aka 内梅 )

Messi definitely treats Neymar like a younger brother, while he treats Agüero as someone closer to his equal. Messi's protective instincts are on a hair trigger when it comes to protecting Neymar; in contrast, he goes to Agüero when things are rough and he needs to be consoled.

Pick your poison. XD