Football superstar Neymar Jr. was seen leaving the field in tears following Santos FC’s devastating 6-0 defeat to Vasco Da Gama in Brazil’s top-tier league. The monumental loss has been described as one of the most embarrassing failures in the forward’s illustrious career, marking a significant low point since his return to the Brazilian club.
The resounding 6-0 scoreline represents the biggest failure for both Neymar and Santos FC in recent memory. It is a rare occurrence for these traditional powerhouses to concede such a high number of goals in a single match within the Brazilian Serie A, underscoring the severity of the result.
Santos FC, an eight-time Brazilian champion, currently finds itself in a precarious position, hovering near the relegation zone with a mere two points separating them from the bottom clubs. Despite having a player of Neymar’s caliber on their roster, the team’s struggles have been evident. The immediate aftermath of the crushing defeat saw head coach Cleber Xavier promptly dismissed from his position within hours of the final whistle, highlighting the club’s urgent need for change.
On the opposing side, Vasco Da Gama celebrated a significant triumph. Their midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, a player with notable experience at European giants like Liverpool and Aston Villa, played a pivotal role, contributing two goals to the victory. This dominant performance secured Vasco’s first win in six matches and marked their largest victory in 17 years, providing a much-needed boost to their campaign.
For Neymar Jr., the match concluded in profound disappointment, a sentiment shared by the entire Santos squad. The outcome also ignited strong protests from disgruntled fans, who gathered to demand accountability and solutions from the club’s management.
Reflecting on the unprecedented defeat, Neymar Jr. shared his raw emotions with journalists at the end of the game, stating, “I have never seen this before in my life. This, unfortunately, I can’t help anything. I think everyone today should go home and sleep thinking about what happened today, and what they want to do next.”
At 33 years old, Neymar Jr. made headlines in 2017 with a world-record €222 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. His return to Santos FC for the new season followed the termination of his contract with Al-Hilal, largely due to frequent injuries. Since rejoining Santos mid-season, the prolific attacker has made 12 appearances, contributing significantly with six assists.
