Neymar in tears as Santos thrashed by Coutinho’s Vasco

After Santos were defeated 6-0 at home by Vasco da Gama, Brazil forward Neymar wept after the match.

Santos’ first home defeat in a Brazilian Serie A game was the biggest of Neymar’s career, which included his sixth goal conceded.

The eight-time champions are two points above the drop zone, and Cleber Xavier, the coach, was fired shortly after the game on Sunday.

Philippe Coutinho, a former striker at Liverpool and Aston Villa, scored twice as Vasco won their first league game for the first time in 17 years.

Neymar remarked, “I’m ashamed. “Our performance completely deceives me. The fans have every right to protest, without using violence, of course.

They are in their right if they want to curse and insult others. It was terrible in terms of how we handled things on the field.

Never in my life have I gone through this. The tears came from everything, including anger. Unfortunately, I am unable to assist in every way.

Everyone today needs to go home and consider their goals, according to me.

Neymar is still the most expensive footballer in the world, having left Barcelona for £200m in 2017 for Paris St-Germain. He then left his youth club in January after his contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal was terminated.

The 33-year-old completed a sixth six-month contract with Santos in June, where he has now added six goals and three assists in all 21 games.

Brazil’s all-time top scorer cried after getting hurt 34 minutes into his first Serie A start, then missing the next five league games with a hamstring issue.

After working as an assistant manager at several Brazilian clubs as well as the national team, Xavier, 61, took over at the end of April.

Santos, who is now just two places above the relegation zone after winning five of his 15 games under his leadership, is now one place higher than Vasco, who were eliminated from the bottom four on Sunday.

Santos returned to the top of the Brazilian league last November after a year in Serie B following their first-ever relegation.