Neymar breaks down as Santos hit rock bottom with 6-0 home thrashing

Dubai: Neymar couldn't hold back the tears. Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer walked off the MorumBIS pitch on Sunday night having just endured the worst defeat of his professional career - a shocking 6-0 home capitulation to Vasco da Gama that left him questioning everything.

The numbers tell only part of the story. Santos had never conceded six goals at home in Brazilian Serie A before. Their eight-time championship pedigree counted for nothing as forgotten man Philippe Coutinho ran riot, scoring twice in what became Vasco's biggest league win since 2008.

"I'm ashamed," Neymar said afterward, his voice barely steady. "The fans have every right to be angry. They can curse us - we deserve it. Our attitude was terrible. I've never been through anything like this."

The defeat was particularly crushing given Santos' precarious league position. They sit just two points clear of relegation, a reality that seemed impossible when Neymar returned in January. The club that discovered Pele and launched Neymar's own career now faces the very real prospect of dropping into Serie B again, just eight months after earning promotion.

Coach Cleber Xavier didn't survive the night. Santos sacked him within hours of the final whistle, his four-month tenure ending with just five wins from 15 games. The 61-year-old had been working miracles just to keep the team competitive, but Sunday's collapse proved one humiliation too many.

Coutinho's performance added salt to the wound. The former Liverpool midfielder, now 32, showed glimpses of his prime years as he tormented his international teammate. Goals from Lucas Piton, David, Rayan and Tche Tche completed a rout that lifted Vasco out of the relegation zone at Santos' expense.

For Neymar, the statistics since his return make grim reading. Six goals and three assists in 21 games represent decent individual numbers. His emotional breakdown revealed the weight of expectation of carrying his boyhood club crushing down on his shoulders.

Next Sunday brings another test - away to Bahia, who sit fourth in the table. Santos need answers fast, because their proud history won't save them from relegation if this spiral continues.