Neymar Jr. was seen leaving the field in tears after Santos FC endured a humiliating 6-0 defeat against Vasco da Gama in Brazil’s top league, marking one of the most embarrassing failures of his career.
This crushing defeat was not only a career low for Neymar Jr. but also the first time Santos FC had conceded six goals in a Brazilian Top League (Serie A) match, a significant club record. Santos FC, an eight-time Brazilian champion, is currently in a precarious position, just two points above the relegation zone, despite having Neymar Jr. on its roster. The immediate consequence of the loss was the firing of coach Cleber Xavier just hours after the final whistle.
Vasco da Gama midfielder Philippe Coutinho, a former player for Liverpool and Aston Villa, scored two goals. His contribution secured Vasco’s first victory in six matches and marked the club’s largest win in 17 years.
The match concluded in deep disappointment for Neymar Jr. and the entire Santos squad, with many fans protesting and demanding solutions for the club’s poor performance.
“I have never seen this before in my life. Unfortunately, I can’t help anything,” Neymar Jr. told journalists post-match. “I think everyone today should go home and sleep, thinking about what happened and what they want to do next.”
Neymar Jr., 33, currently holds the record for the most expensive transfer in football history, moving from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for EUR 222 million in 2017. He recently returned to Santos FC this season after terminating his contract with Al Hilal due to frequent injuries. Since his mid-season return, Neymar has made 12 appearances, contributing 6 assists.
