Brazilian football icon Neymar was left in tears on Sunday night as Santos suffered the heaviest home defeat in their history, a humiliating 6-0 demolition by Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian Serie A.
The crushing result marked the worst defeat of Neymar’s career and pushed Santos perilously close to the relegation zone, sitting just two points above the drop line.
The embarrassment also cost head coach Cleber Xavier his job, as he was sacked immediately after the game.
Vasco da Gama, who had been struggling themselves, produced a performance that will go down in their history. Former Liverpool and Aston Villa midfielder Philippe Coutinho inspired the rout with two goals, helping his side to their first league victory in six matches and their biggest top-flight win in 17 years.
For Neymar, the night was particularly painful. Having returned to his boyhood club in January after leaving Al-Hilal, the 33-year-old hoped to revive Santos’ fortunes.
His second spell, however, has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent form, with six goals and three assists in 21 appearances. Earlier this season, he endured another emotional exit from the pitch after a hamstring injury forced him to miss five matches.
Santos’ collapse has intensified the frustration among fans who only last year celebrated the team’s return to the top flight following a first-ever relegation in their history. The 6-0 humiliation underlined the fragility of the squad and highlighted the growing crisis at the club.
Xavier leaves after just 15 matches in charge, overseeing five wins in a brief and troubled tenure. Meanwhile, Vasco’s emphatic triumph lifted them out of the relegation zone, providing their supporters with long-awaited relief.
For Neymar and Santos, however, the night will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in the club’s illustrious history.
