Brazilian superstar Neymar was emotionally shattered after suffering the biggest defeat of his career as Santos were thrashed 6-0 by Vasco da Gama. The loss, in which former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho scored a brace, left Neymar visibly upset, wiping away tears as he walked off the pitch.
A New Low for Neymar
This defeat marks a new low for the 33-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club Santos earlier this year after a tough spell at Al-Hilal. Despite scoring six goals and contributing three assists in 19 matches, Santos currently find themselves in 15th place in the Brazilian league, just two points above the relegation zone.
Tears of Frustration
Neymar’s tears came after a dreadful performance from Santos. He was consoled by a club staff member before heading down the tunnel. The Brazilian forward expressed his frustration with the team’s performance, admitting that he was “ashamed” of their efforts.
“I’m ashamed,” Neymar said, reflecting on the game. “I’m totally disappointed with our performance. The fans have every right to protest, obviously without using violence… but if they want to curse and insult, they’re in their right. It’s a feeling of extreme shame. I’ve never experienced this in my life.”
Anger and Disappointment
The former Barcelona forward added, “The tears were from anger, from everything. Unfortunately, I can’t help in every way. Anyway, it was total s***, that’s the reality.”
In the wake of this devastating defeat, Santos acted quickly and sacked their head coach, Cleber Xavier, as the club aims to salvage their season.
Vasco’s Dominant Victory
The match saw Coutinho’s two goals added to by strikes from Lucas Piton, David Correa De Fonseca, Rayan, and Danilo Neves, giving Vasco a commanding 6-0 victory.
Neymar’s Return to Santos: A Struggle
Neymar’s return to Santos, after a long stint in Europe and the Middle East, has not gone as planned, with the club struggling in the league. While his performance was expected to inspire the team, their current position in the standings has cast doubt on the future of the club and their star player.
Having initially signed a short-term contract, Neymar extended it in June and expressed his excitement about being back at Santos, his “home.” Despite the recent struggles, Neymar remains determined to contribute to the club’s success, especially with the 2026 World Cup in sight.
The Road Ahead for Santos
With Santos now dangerously close to the relegation zone, they will need to regroup quickly. Neymar and his teammates will face Bahia next, hoping to get their season back on track.
