Neymar Criticizes Negative Santos Fans After Comeback Win in Copa Sudamericana

Neymar expressed his disappointment with some Santos supporters who booed him during their tough 2-1 comeback win against Macara in the Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 first leg at Vila Belmiro.

Santos Fight Back to Secure Victory

The match started poorly for Santos FC as Ecuadorian side Macara shocked the home crowd with an early goal by Franco Posse within the first four minutes. Neymar then led the charge for a turnaround by assisting Gabriel Barbosa's equalizer just before halftime. Later, Neymar delivered a corner kick assist to William Arao in the 75th minute that sealed the victory for the hosts.

Neymar Challenges Critical Fans

Despite his two assists and overall influence on the game, a section of the home crowd jeered Neymar after he made a misplaced pass. The reaction visibly upset the star player, who spoke about the negative atmosphere after the match:

"We were down 1-0, and I understand the fans have suffered for many years... but if you're going to come with a negative mindset, it's better to stay home. I told the fan in the stands: instead of criticizing, support us. We still had 60 minutes left. Then we turned the game around. I even saw him making a heart sign later—it's easy to be a Santos fan only when things go well."

Key Contributions from Neymar and Team Challenges

Neymar’s form continues to be vital for Santos, bringing his tally to 13 goals and 8 assists in the last 24 matches. His teammate Gabigol faced frustration as two of his goals were disallowed for offside, and Macara’s goalkeeper Rodrigo Rodriguez made a crucial save late in the game to deny Neymar’s stoppage-time free kick.

Upcoming Second Leg Test

Santos now prepares for the second leg in Ambato, Ecuador, where a draw would secure their spot in the quarter-finals. The high altitude and physical challenge will test the team’s endurance, with Neymar expected to maintain his momentum to help the club pursue the 2026 Copa Sudamericana title.

• Date: 14 August 2026
• Competition: Copa Sudamericana Round-of-16 First Leg
• Match: Santos FC vs CSD Macara
• Score: Santos 2 - 1 Macara
• Goal Scorers: Franco Posse (Macara), Gabriel Barbosa (Santos), William Arao (Santos)
• Neymar Stats: 2 assists, total 13 goals and 8 assists in last 24 games