On August 17, 2025, in the 20th round of the Brazilian Serie A, traditional powerhouse Santos were humiliated with a 6-0 defeat against Vasco da Gama, leaving Neymar visibly disappointed by the result.
Fans Turn Their Backs in Protest
More than 10,000 Santos supporters filled the stands, and their frustration reached its peak. As the team trailed 0-6, the fans collectively turned their backs on the pitch as a form of protest and disapproval.
After the crushing loss, Neymar left the field in tears. He admitted feeling ashamed of the scoreline and openly acknowledged that the fans had every right to criticise the team’s performance.
Vasco Run Riot in the Second Half
Vasco scored only once in the first half but completely dismantled Santos’ defence after the break, netting five more goals to seal a 6-0 victory. Two of those goals came from former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who joined the club this summer.
Neymar’s Most Humiliating Defeat
Once one of Europe’s brightest stars, Neymar was often mentioned alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yet while the older Messi and Ronaldo continue to shine in the United States and Saudi Arabia, respectively, Neymar, who returned home to play in Brazil, suffered what could be considered the most humiliating defeat of his career.
Post-Match Reactions: Anger and Shame
Speaking to Brazilian media after the match, Neymar said: “I feel extremely disappointed with Santos’ performance today. The fans have the right to express their protest in any way, but I must emphasise that violence is never acceptable. As for insults and criticism, they have every right to do so.”
The Brazilian star added, “I feel utterly ashamed, something I’ve never experienced in my career before. I cried out of anger, out of sheer frustration with everything that happened on the pitch. The truth is, today’s performance was terrible, and no one can deny that.”
Neymar’s Harsh Words for His Teammates
Neymar did not hide his fury after the game and openly criticised his teammates:
“This was nothing but a farce. To wear the Santos shirt and play like this is a disgrace. Everyone needs to seriously reflect on what they want. If we continue with the same attitude, perhaps we don’t even deserve to step onto the pitch for the next match.”
Later, Neymar posted a black-and-white photo on social media, reflecting his devastated emotions after the loss, along with the caption: “Santos should never suffer such a defeat.”
Coutinho’s Brace Secures Memorable Win for Vasco
Former Barcelona star and Brazilian international Philippe Coutinho scored twice in the match, helping Vasco secure an unforgettable victory.
After the game, he approached his former national teammate Neymar, who was in tears over the defeat. Witnessing Neymar’s despair, Coutinho was deeply moved, speaking with a tone of empathy and emotion.
This 6-0 defeat not only brought humiliation to Santos but also cast a shadow over Neymar’s career. In contrast, Vasco, powered by Coutinho’s brilliance and their relentless second-half surge, celebrated a victory that will surely be remembered as one of the highlights of the season.
