Tearful Neymar ‘ashamed’ As Heaviest Defeat Ends In Sacking Of Santos Coach

An affectional Neymar said he was near “ashamed” aft his Santos broadside were connected nan extremity of a 6-0 location conclusion by Vasco da Gama connected Sunday – a humiliation that led to nan sacking of their caput coach, Cléber Xavier.

Philippe Coutinho was connected nan scoresheet doubly arsenic Vasco recovered nan nett 5 times successful nan abstraction of 16 second-half minutes arsenic portion of a rout that leaves Santos 2 points supra nan relegation places successful Brazil’s Serie A. At full-time, location supporters turned their backs to nan transportation successful nan latest protestation against nan authorities of nan squad and nine arsenic a whole.

“I’m ashamed,” said Neymar, who was successful tears arsenic he near nan pitch. “I’m wholly disappointed pinch our performance. The fans person each correct to protest, evidently without utilizing violence. But if they want to curse and insult, they’re successful their right. To sum up our cognition connected nan field, it was terrible.

“I’ve ne'er knowledgeable this successful my life. The tears were from anger, from everything. Unfortunately, I can’t thief successful each way.”

Santos, synonymous pinch greats specified arsenic Pelé, were relegated for nan first clip successful their history successful 2023 earlier returning to nan apical formation past season. They re-signed Neymar, who came done nan ranks astatine nan nine earlier leaving for Barcelona successful 2013, connected a short-term statement in January of this year.

“It’s a shame to play for illustration that wearing nan Santos jersey,” Neymar said. “I deliberation everyone coming needs to laic their caput connected their pillow, spell home, and deliberation astir what they want to do. Because pinch today’s attitude, if we person to do what we did coming connected nan field, I don’t deliberation we moreover request to show up connected Wednesday.”

The 6-0 scoreline is nan biggest nonaccomplishment of Neymar’s profession and was capable for Santos to sack Xavier, who only took complete successful April successful his first occupation arsenic a caput coach. The 61-year-old leaves Santos pinch 21 points from 19 games successful Brazil’s apical flight, pinch chap battlers for endurance Vasco now only 2 points down them.