Neymar Rebukes Negative Santos Fans After Comeback Win Against Macara
Neymar expressed frustration at some Santos FC supporters who booed him during their Copa Sudamericana first-leg comeback win against CSD Macara at Vila Belmiro. Despite assisting twice in the 2-1 victory, the Brazilian star told negative fans to stay away from the stadium if they were going to bring a pessimistic attitude.
Santos Fight Back To Claim First Leg Win
The match started poorly for Santos as Macara’s Franco Posse scored inside the first four minutes, silencing the home crowd. Neymar then led the charge, providing the assist for Gabriel Barbosa’s equalizer just before halftime. Later, Neymar delivered a corner kick that William Arao converted in the 75th minute, sealing the comeback and giving Santos a crucial advantage in the round-of-16 tie.
Neymar Responds to Jeers From Home Fans
After a misplaced pass led to boos from a section of the crowd, Neymar reacted emotionally on the pitch. Speaking with ESPN post-match, he called out those fans for their negativity:
“We were down 1-0, and I understand the fans have suffered for years. But if you come to the stadium with a negative mindset, it’s better to stay home. Instead of criticizing, support us. There’s still 60 minutes left to play. Then we turned the game around. I even saw a fan making a heart sign—easy to be a Santos fan when things are going well.”
Neymar’s Influence Continues to Shine
The forward’s strong performance extended his impressive tally to 13 goals and eight assists over the last 24 matches. His creativity was key despite teammate Gabigol having two goals disallowed for offside. Macara’s goalkeeper Rodrigo Rodriguez also made a crucial save late in stoppage time to deny Neymar from a free kick. The narrow victory leaves Santos with an important lead heading into the second leg.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg in Ecuador
Santos will face Macara next week in Ambato, Ecuador, where a draw will be enough to advance to the quarter-finals. Playing at altitude poses a tough challenge for coach Cuca’s side as they aim to protect their aggregate lead. Neymar’s fitness and form will be critical as Santos chase the 2026 Copa Sudamericana crown.
- Match Result: Santos 2 - 1 Macara
- Goal Scorers: Franco Posse (Macara), Gabriel Barbosa (Santos), William Arao (Santos)
- Neymar Stats: 13 goals and 8 assists in last 24 games
- Upcoming Fixtures: Macara vs Santos, next week in Ambato
