Sometimes football is about more than just wins and losses—it’s about raw emotion and the people who stand beside you through it all.
Neymar found himself in tears after enduring the heaviest defeat of his career, but in the middle of that despair, his son Davi Lucca shared a heartfelt message that reminded him of the love and support waiting at home.
Neymar’s Toughest Night on the Pitch
On Sunday, Neymar’s Santos side were dismantled 6-0 by Vasco da Gama—a result that left the Brazilian icon visibly broken.
At full-time, he buried his face in his shirt to wipe away tears, consoled only by club staff.
For a player who has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, this was a moment unlike any other in his career.
The defeat was particularly painful given Neymar’s return to Santos earlier this year, after a difficult 18-month spell at Al-Hilal where injuries kept him sidelined.
His comeback has been a mixed bag—six goals and three assists in 19 games—but Santos are hovering dangerously above the relegation zone in 15th place.
A Son’s Message of Love
In the aftermath of the crushing loss, Neymar’s son Davi Lucca took to social media to console his father.
His words were as touching as they were powerful: “I know today has been difficult for you and for us, but in these moments, when no one else is by your side, I will always be there.
You are more than a great father—you are my idol, my inspiration.
Even when you cry, I love you with all my heart. Keep your head high—you are incredible.”
Neymar, deeply moved, responded with his own simple but emotional reply: “I love you, my little one. Dad will get back on his feet.”
Coutinho Adds to the Pain
To make matters worse, Neymar had to watch his fellow countryman—and old Brazil teammate—Philippe Coutinho shine for Vasco.
The former Liverpool star, who has also returned to his boyhood club, scored twice in the rout.
Goals from Lucas Piton, David Correa De Fonseca, Rayan, and Danilo Neves completed the humiliation.
The loss even surpassed Neymar’s previous worst defeat—Barcelona’s 4-1 collapse against Celta Vigo in 2015.
Neymar Speaks Out in Anger and Shame
After the match, Neymar didn’t hide his emotions. He admitted the tears weren’t just from sadness, but from fury at his team’s performance.
“I’m ashamed. Totally disappointed. The fans have every right to protest. It was total s**, that’s the reality,”* he said bluntly.
His words carried weight, and by the next day, Santos acted swiftly—head coach Cleber Xavier was dismissed in hopes of salvaging their season.
A Career in Transition
Despite this setback, Neymar’s return to Santos had been framed as a fairy-tale homecoming.
The club saw huge commercial gains, record social media growth, and a renewed buzz when their star returned.
Club president Marcelo Teixeira even referred to him as the “prince” of Santos, wearing the No. 10 shirt once more.
Back in January, Neymar described the move as a long-awaited dream come true, a chance to “rediscover joy” in football.
He initially signed a short-term deal, later extending it until the end of 2025, keeping the door open for a run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
What’s Next for Neymar and Santos?
For Neymar, the road ahead will be about resilience.
His bond with his son has already shown that he isn’t walking this path alone, but Santos need immediate solutions.
Hovering just two points above the relegation zone, their fight for survival continues next Sunday against Bahia.
As for Neymar, his words make it clear: while the tears of Sunday night marked his lowest point, he still believes in the dream he started chasing as a boy in Santos’ shirt—and he’s not ready to let go of it just yet.
