Neymar Jr. left the field in tears after Santos FC suffered a devastating 6-0 loss to Vasco da Gama in Brazil’s top league, a result described as the most embarrassing failure of his career. This marked a significant low for Neymar Jr. and was the first time Santos FC had conceded six goals in Brazil’s top-flight league (Serie A).
Despite being an eight-time Brazilian champion and having Neymar Jr. on their roster, Santos FC currently sits near the relegation zone, just two points from safety. Following the defeat, manager Cleber Xavier was fired within hours of the match.
Vasco da Gama midfielder Philippe Coutinho, a former player for 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 fueled widespread disappointment among fans, many of whom protested for immediate solutions at the club.
“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 today, and what they want to do next,” Neymar Jr. told journalists after the match. The 33-year-old, known for his €222 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 – the most expensive in football history – had reportedly returned to Santos FC this season after terminating his contract with Al Hilal due to frequent injuries. In his mid-season appearances for Santos, Neymar recorded 12 total appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 6 assists.
