Neymar Jr. left the field in tears following Santos FC’s humiliating 6-0 defeat to Vasco Da Gama in Brazil’s top league, a result described as the most embarrassing failure of his career.
This significant loss marked a first for Santos FC in terms of conceding six goals, a rare occurrence for clubs in Brazil’s Serie A. The eight-time Brazilian champions found themselves in a precarious position, just two points from the relegation zone, despite having Neymar Jr. on their roster. In the immediate aftermath, coach Cleber Xavier was fired within hours of the match.
Vasco Da Gama midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who has previously played for Liverpool and Aston Villa, was instrumental in their victory, scoring two goals. His contribution secured Vasco’s first win in six matches and their largest victory in 17 years.
Neymar Jr.’s performance fueled widespread disappointment among the team and fans, with many protesting and demanding solutions for the club. Following the match, Neymar Jr. reportedly told journalists, “I have never seen this before in my life. Unfortunately, I can’t help anything. I think everyone today should go home and sleep, thinking about what happened and what they want to do next.”
The article describes Neymar Jr. as 33 years old, noting his historic EUR 222 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 as the most expensive in football history. It further states he has reportedly returned to Santos FC for the new season after terminating his contract with Al Hilal due to frequent injuries. During his mid-season stint with Santos FC, he is said to have appeared in 12 matches, providing 6 assists.
