Brazilian football icon Neymar was reduced to tears after watching his former club Santos suffer a catastrophic 7-1 defeat against Fortaleza – the worst loss in the team's 111-year history.
The emotional scenes unfolded as Neymar, who began his career at Santos, witnessed his boyhood club collapse spectacularly in their Campeonato Brasileiro match. The devastating result sent shockwaves through Brazilian football, with fans and pundits alike calling it the club's darkest hour.
A Night of Humiliation
Santos, one of Brazil's most storied clubs, found themselves completely overwhelmed by Fortaleza's attacking prowess. The match quickly turned into a nightmare for the visitors, who conceded four goals in the first half alone.
Neymar, watching from the stands, couldn't hide his emotions as the scoreline grew increasingly embarrassing. Television cameras captured the Paris Saint-Germain star wiping away tears as the full scale of the humiliation became clear.
Record-Breaking Defeat
The 7-1 thrashing surpasses Santos' previous worst defeat – a 6-0 loss to São Paulo in 1933. The result leaves the club languishing near the bottom of the league table, with serious questions being asked about the team's direction.
Fortaleza's players celebrated wildly after each goal, clearly aware they were making history against one of Brazil's footballing giants. The home fans created a carnival atmosphere as their team dismantled the opposition with ruthless efficiency.
Neymar's Emotional Connection
The defeat clearly hit Neymar hard. The 31-year-old forward made his professional debut for Santos aged 17 and helped the club win numerous trophies before his big-money move to Barcelona in 2013.
His emotional reaction highlights the deep connection he maintains with the club where he first made his name. Many fans took to social media to praise Neymar for showing his passion, even as others questioned why he wasn't on the pitch helping his former team.
As Santos begin the painful process of rebuilding after this historic humiliation, one thing is certain – this result will be remembered as one of the lowest points in the club's illustrious history.
