No, Joey Tribbiani was not in love with Monica Geller. While he shared a deeply close bond with her, his feelings were consistently depicted as platonic, viewing her more as a sister than a romantic prospect.
Joey's Relationships with the Friends
Joey maintained a unique and cherished relationship with all the female members of the core group—Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe. His interactions with them were characterized by genuine affection, loyalty, and a strong sense of family rather than romantic desire.
- Sisterly Affection: Actor Matt LeBlanc, who portrayed Joey Tribbiani, once speculated on the nature of Joey's relationships with the women. He suggested that Joey perceived them as sisters, emphasizing a familial connection over any potential romantic interest.
- Unconditional Support: Throughout the series, Joey often relied on Monica for maternal care, especially concerning food and comfort, reinforcing a dynamic that mirrored a brother-sister relationship. He consistently showed immense loyalty and support for Monica, as he did for all his friends, but this never blossomed into romantic love.
- Focus on Other Interests: Joey's romantic pursuits in the show primarily centered around other characters and numerous brief relationships, none of which involved Monica.
In summary, despite their enduring friendship and close living quarters for a period, Joey's feelings for Monica remained firmly in the realm of platonic friendship and familial affection, entirely devoid of romantic love.
