Neymar Jr left the field in tears following Santos FC’s humiliating 6-0 defeat to Vasco Da Gama in the Brazilian Top Flight, describing it as the most embarrassing failure of his career.
It was the first time in Santos FC’s history they had conceded six goals in a Brazilian Serie A match. The eight-time Brazilian champions now find themselves near the relegation zone, just two points from safety, despite Neymar Jr being a key team member. Head coach Cleber Xavier was fired just hours after the match.
Vasco Da Gama midfielder Philippe Coutinho, formerly of Liverpool and Aston Villa, scored two goals, helping his team secure their first victory in six matches and their largest win in 17 years.
Neymar Jr’s performance was a strong disappointment for the entire team, with many fans protesting and demanding solutions from the club.
“I have never seen this before in my life. This, unfortunately, I can’t help anything. I think all today should go home and sleep thinking about what happened today, and what do they want to do next,” Neymar Jr told reporters in an emotional post-match interview.
The 33-year-old holds the record for the most expensive transfer in football history, moving from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for €222 million in 2017. He recently returned to Santos FC this new season after terminating his contract with Al Hilal due to frequent injuries. In 12 appearances for Santos FC this mid-season, Neymar has registered 6 goals and 6 assists.
