Football One Shots

Neymessi

::: A quick one for El Classico today! Sad Barca didn't pull through for the 3, but still love my Ney!:::
"Fucking hell!" My fist smashed against the defenseless locker in front of me.
1-1.... Fucking 1-1! I should've made it 2, but of course I fucked it up. Of course, I had to over shoot, instead of placing it in the net. Of course, I had to ruin this for the team. These three points were so important for us, and instead, I earned us one.
All the media's words floating around burrowed deep inside my mind.
"Neymar wasn't very effective this game."
"Neymar should have finished."
"Should Neymar have been benched this game?"
I gave an assist! What more do they want! When is effective, effective? When I score a hat trick and get more than one assist? Because apparently one isn't effective. Apparently one is equivalent to me sitting on my ass eating nachos.
I was thrown to the ground, swore at, pushed on, and shoved during the whole match... Not once did my teammates ask if I was ok. Not once did they think to maybe help me. Not once did they think of how I might feel having to defend myself against all the rough tackles. They expected me to pick myself up off the ground and carry on with no problem! They expected me to be ok. But I'm not!
I'm tired, sore, and in pain. The trainer said I might've pulled something in my leg from my near split. I can feel the slight tug with every step I take. I struggle to move from my locker to the showers and back. Once again, no one offers help.
I feel as though I'm receiving the cold shoulder from my teammates. Maybe they know that this loss is my fault. Maybe they know that I've not played as greatly as I did before the Olympics. I've realized it myself and I feel like shit. I shouldn't harm my team like this. Maybe I'll tell coach I need to sit for the next few games, I mean I'm already missing the next one due to my yellow; what's a few more? I apparently made no difference for the team, so why don't they just put in someone like Arda?
"Good work today Luis." I forced a smile and patted his back.
"Thanks kid. Hey Leo!" He quickly moved away across the room to a half-naked Messi.
"Hey, great job today man! We just need to tweak a few things and we'll be back to the team goal machines." Luis placed a hand on Leo's shoulder.
"Hopefully." Leo smiled.
A frown was plastered on my face as Luis continued to chat with Leo. All the noise in the room became silent as insults ran through my head. Each felt like a punch to the stomach, but I let them fill me. A single tear running down my cheek was the only sign of my weak state.
A rough hand gripped my shoulder and shook me a bit.
"You did awesome out there Neymar! Really saved us with that ball." Marc-André's compliment went in one ear and out the other.
"Please don't lie to my face." I spoke lowly with a distant and hurt look in my eyes.
"What? I'm not." He looked generally confused.
"I should've scored and made it 2-0. I didn't. I couldn't. I'm sorry." More tears fell from my eyes.
Marc's arms pulled me into his chest and held me tightly.
"Stop this now. You worked too hard to be upset. Every opportunity, you were involved in some way. We can't always be perfect. I should've saved that goal, but I didn't. This game is in the past, so put this regret there too. Keep working hard Ney, you'll finish next time, I'm sure." Marc backed away and gave me a once-over before heading to the showers.
Most eyes were now on me as I stood in the middle of the locker room with puffy eyes and shaking fingers. Looks of concern and confusion floated around everyone's faces. I stepped away to my things again and began to pack up so I could leave.
"Ney, what's wrong?" Leo held my elbow as he examined me over for any injuries.
"Nothing." I whispered and sniffled.
"Neymar, please." I sighed and slumped my shoulders.
"I'm sorry I screwed us over." I didn't dare meet his gaze that was most likely filled with disappointment.
"But you didn't. You worked harder than any of us today. Yeah, it would've been nice if you scored that goal, but we can't all rely on you to score for us. We had too many chances that we didn't put away today. Everyone that played is to blame for this loss. So stop blaming yourself. I'm proud of you. I don't want you listening to the stupid media either! They're only concerned with how many people read their bullshit reports. They don't go by facts and statistics. Chin up, okay?" I smiled brightly and latched onto Leo like a leech.
I held him tightly in my embrace and buried my face in his warm neck. My lips brushed his collarbone in a smile, before I placed multiple kisses up and down his neck, all the way to his cheek. My hand ruffled his hair and pulled him back into my embrace.
"Thank you Leo. It means the world." My eyes were closed as I leaned against the half-naked Argentine.
"For you Ney, anything." He smiled and placed a kiss on my forehead and a small one on the corner of my mouth.
My cheeks grew red as he held me closer and we stood in silence. The silence was welcoming and relaxing and allowed me to lean into Leo and doze quickly. The game's demanding work wiped me out.
It wasn't until Leo shifted under me, that I jumped up and shook the sleepiness from my eyes.
"I think you need to get home and go to bed Neymar. You seem awfully tired." I shook my head convincingly.
"No way. I'm wide awake!"  A yawn followed my protest, making it not so convincing.
"Go to bed Ney. I'll see you in the morning. I love you." He pecked my lips quickly before walking away without sparing me another glance.
Any sleepiness I had quickly evaded my body as my cheeks lit up in flames. I squealed quietly and jumped around on my toes as the locker room chatter continued normally.
"Oh Neymar! I was just telling Leo; we need to work a bit more on our finishing and we'll be back to top in La Liga!" Luis continued to fill me in, causing me to smile widely and agree with everything he said, even if I was too tired to comprehend half of it.