Neymar cries hot tears as Santos losses 6-0 to Vasco da Gama

Brazil forward Neymar was reduced to tears on Sunday night after Santos endured the heaviest home defeat in their history, a crushing 6-0 loss to Vasco da Gama in the Brazilian Serie A.

The defeat is the worst of Neymar’s career, left Santos just two points above the relegation zone and triggered the immediate sacking of coach Cleber Xavier.

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa star Philippe Coutinho scored twice as Vasco claimed their first league victory in six games, and their biggest top-flight win in 17 years.

“I’m ashamed,” Neymar admitted after the match.

He continued, “I’m totally disappointed with our performance. The fans have every right to protest… our attitude on the field was terrible. I’ve never experienced this in my life. The tears were from anger, from everything.”

Santos’ capitulation was particularly painful for the club icon, who returned to his boyhood side in January after leaving Al-Hilal.

The 33-year-old, still the world’s most expensive footballer following his £200m move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, has contributed six goals and three assists in 21 appearances since rejoining.

But Neymar’s second stint at Santos has been disrupted by injury. He left the pitch in tears earlier this season with a hamstring problem and missed five consecutive matches.

Sunday’s humiliation has only deepened frustrations surrounding the club’s form.

However, Xavier, departs after just 15 matches in charge, in which Santos managed five wins.

The defeat to Vasco leaves them hovering dangerously close to the drop zone, a year on from their promotion back to the top flight after a historic first relegation.

The loss also provided relief for Vasco, who leapfrogged out of the bottom four with the emphatic result.