Ashutosh & Jayesh: inseparable in football, friendship and birthdays

TWO BOYS, who both started their footballing years with the same football club, where at present they play together in the first team and are favourites among the fans. One is known for his beard, the other is a Neymar look-a-like. Over the years, both have developed a close friendship that translates into a vitally intuitive partnership on the field. And even their birthdays fall one after the other.

Jayesh Rane (the Neymar look-a-like) celebrated his 23rd birthday on 20th February and his friend Ashutosh Mehta (known for his beard) has completed a quarter of a century yesterday, the 21st of February.

See the image below, you can't deny that there are similarities

Ashutosh with his beard look and you better respect it

Jayesh began his senior career for Mumbai FC in the 2012 Federation Cup while Ashutosh played his first match in the 2011 Federation Cup.

Both these players have grown up to be star professionals and have found a niche for themselves at a relatively young age. Keeping in mind the football scene in India, they have overcome a number of odds to earn a special place in the hearts of their fans with their achievements.

Ashutosh completed his 100th league appearance when he took the field against Mohun Bagan on 10th of February. While Jayesh has played a total of 67 league appearances, he was also part of the U-23 team that won the silver medal at the 12th South Asian Games.

The rising fan culture at Mumbai FC has acknowledged both these favourite players with banners dedicated to them. The players too do not fail to give the fans their due credit.

Both Ashutosh and Jayesh are of the same opinion that fans play a major role and has termed them as the '12th player'. Both have a strong presence on the social media with Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to stay connected with their fans.

They also rate each other as best players to play with. Talking about Jayesh, the defender said,

"Jayesh is a supremely talented player and we have grown up together here. He is young and has a long way to go."

Ashutosh further added,

"All the games I've played with him are really special, we enjoy playing together, we enjoy playing on the same plank. In fact at times we tell the coach that let us play together at the same plank because it will be better for us and we'll do good. It's been five years now playing with, it feels really good."

The duo celebrated their back-to-back birthdays far away from each other as Jayesh was playing away at Aizawl and Ashutosh is out with an injury at the moment. Ashutosh though did forget to send his best wishes via social media.

Jayesh thanked everyone for the wishes and also stated that it wasn't a good day as they lost to Aizwal and promised to bounce back

Also their close friend Rahul Bheke who was part of the same club before moving to East Bengal this season. Bheke being the good friend took to Twitter to wish both the players.

#HappyBirthday to my friend & @MumbaiFC teammate @jayeshrane11. Have a great run in whatever you choose to do...👍🎂🎁🎈 pic.twitter.com/0Kt34eSuL6

— Rahul Bheke (@RahulBheke) February 20, 2016

Wishing success to my friend & @MumbaiFC team-mate @Ashutosh_mehta1. Have a rocking season ahead.#HappyBirthday Bro. pic.twitter.com/jRHbyt4cVF

— Rahul Bheke (@RahulBheke) February 21, 2016