2025-08-18T08:48:27Z

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When the beautiful game turns brutal, it leaves heartbreak in its wake—just ask Neymar. After an agonizing 6-0 home defeat against Vasco da Gama, the legendary Brazilian forward was left in tears, marking a devastating low not just for him but for the entire Santos Football Club. This shocking loss has sent ripples through the world of football, leading to the immediate dismissal of coach Cleber Xavier, who had been at the helm for just a few months.

Santos, a club once basking in the glory of legends like Pelé, now finds itself teetering dangerously close to relegation in the Brasileirao, sitting in 15th place with a mere 21 points from 19 matches. The top-flight league is unforgiving; the bottom four teams face the grim reality of being dropped to Serie B. This recent defeat was not just a slip; it was a fall from grace, leaving Santos fans shaken and questioning the direction of their beloved club.

In an emotional moment captured on the field, Neymar was consoled by a member of Santos’ backroom staff, a stark image of a star athlete grappling with the weight of expectations and the bitterness of failure. Neymar, who returned to Santos in January after a lackluster stint in Saudi Arabia, had signed a contract extension in June, committing to the club until the end of the year. The last thing he expected was to be part of such a humiliating loss.

Following the game, Neymar didn’t hold back, expressing his frustration with the squad's performance, stating, “You have to explain our attitude on the field. Which, to sum it all up, was terrible... It’s a shame to play like that wearing the Santos jersey.” His words echoed the sentiments of many fans who have watched their team’s decline from its historic heights.

Cleber Xavier, a seasoned coach who took the reins in April after an assistant role with other top clubs, now finds himself out of a job just months later. Santos expressed their gratitude in a formal statement, but this marks yet another chapter in a tumultuous period for a club that has experienced the sting of relegation just last year. Once a titan of Brazilian football, Santos is now in a desperate fight to secure its future in the top tier.

As the team prepares for their next game against fourth-placed Bahia on August 24, the looming question remains—can Neymar and the squad rally from this lowest point? Or will they continue to spiral further into despair? The answer might just redefine the future of Santos Futebol Clube.