Neymar embarrassed and in tears after Santos’ 6-0 loss, says fans have right to protest and offend

By: The Associated Press Posted: 3:03 AM CDT Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 Last Modified: 11:22 AM CDT Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

Advertise with us

SAO PAULO (AP) — Embarrassed and in tears after what he called one of the worst days of his life on a soccer field, Neymar gave Santos fans the right to protest and even offend after the team's 6-0 home loss in the Brazilian league.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/08/2025 (412 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sunday’s defeat to Vasco da Gama prompted Santos to fire coach Cleber Xavier.

“Totally disappointed with our game,” Neymar said. “The fans have the right to all types of protests, obviously without going over the line. But they have the right to curse, to offend. It’s a feeling of a lot of shame, I had never gone through this in my life, but unfortunately it happened.”

FILE - Brazil's national soccer team coach Tite, right, talks with his advisor Cleber Xavier, before the start of a press conference announcing his roster of players for the upcoming friendly matches against Argentina, and Saudi Arabia, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo, file)

Neymar left the field in tears. He was consoled by one of Santos’ backroom staff after a game that saw Vasco’s Philippe Coutinho score twice.

“The crying was for being upset, for everything,” he said. “Unfortunately I couldn’t help in any way. We were (expletive), that’s the reality.”

Neymar, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, returned to his boyhood club in January after an underwhelming spell in Saudi Arabia and signed a contract extension in June keeping him at Santos until the end of the year.

Xavier took over the club in April.

“The club thanks the coach for the services provided,” Santos said, “and wishes him luck in the continuation of his career.”

The result left Santos — famously also the club of Brazil great Pele — in 15th place in the 20-team Brazilian top flight, two points above the relegation zone.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer