Philippe Coutinho struck twice as Vasco da Gama dismantled Santos 6-0 in the Brazilian Serie A on Sunday, inflicting the heaviest defeat of Neymar’s career.
Neymar, who signed a new deal with his boyhood club in June, was visibly distraught at full-time and had to be comforted by a member of the coaching staff on the pitch.
Coutinho – the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder who returned to Vasco this summer – scored both of his goals in the second half, adding to an already one-sided affair. Lucas Piton had opened the scoring in the first half before David Correa De Fonseca, Rayan, and Danilo Neves each found the net to complete the rout.
The emphatic victory lifted Vasco out of the relegation zone and closed the gap to Santos, who sit 15th, to just two points.
Speaking after the game, Neymar admitted he was left humiliated by the performance. “I’m ashamed. I’m totally disappointed with our performance. The fans have every right to protest, obviously without using violence … But if they want to curse and insult, they’re in their right,” he said.
“It’s a feeling of extreme shame. I’ve never experienced this in my life. Unfortunately, it happened. The tears were from anger, from everything. Unfortunately, I can’t help in every way. Anyway, it was total s—, that’s the reality.”
In the aftermath, Santos dismissed head coach Cleber Xavier, confirming in a statement they had parted ways and “wish him well in his future career.”
