Neymar Fires Back at Booing Santos Fans With 'Stay Home' Advice Following CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 Win
Neymar lashed out at Santos fans, telling negative supporters to 'stay home' after being booed during their 2-1 Copa Sudamericana comeback win against Macara on August 13, 2026.
Superstar forward Neymar has launched a scathing critique of his own club's supporters, urging those with a 'negative mindset' to 'stay home' following a hard-fought 2-1 Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 first-leg victory over Ecuadorian side Macara on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The passionate outburst came despite the 34-year-old delivering a match-winning performance with two assists at Vila Belmiro, highlighting growing tensions between the legendary player and sections of the Peixe faithful. Cristiano Ronaldo-Georgina Rodriguez Wedding: Know All About Reported Post-Marriage Financial Agreement Between Star Couple.
Neymar's frustration boiled over after he was booed by some fans even as Santos battled back from an early deficit. 'What I was saying out there is that we were losing 1-0, and I know the fans have been suffering for many years... but if you're going to keep thinking about that and come to the stadium with a negative mindset, it's better to stay home,' Neymar told ESPN after the match. He further challenged the critics, recounting a specific exchange: "I told the guy up there: instead of criticising, there's still 60 minutes left to play, support us... encourage us. Then we turn the game around, I come over to get some water, and he's making a heart sign in the stands... It's easy to be a Santos fan like that... Only liking the guy when he's winning."
Match Details and Comeback
The crucial Copa Sudamericana encounter saw Macara stun the home crowd early, with Franco Posse finding the net in just the fourth minute. However, Neymar spearheaded Santos' comeback. He set up Gabriel Barbosa for the equalizer just before halftime in the 44th minute, sending Vila Belmiro into celebration. The Brazilian maestro then delivered the decisive blow in the 75th minute, providing a dangerous corner that Willian Arao headed home to complete the turnaround.
Despite his pivotal role, the boos from a section of the crowd after a misplaced pass visibly irked Neymar, who emphasized that while he accepts criticism after the final whistle, negativity during the game harms the team. Neymar Opens Up On Future With Brazil National Football Team, Star Player Confirms International Retirement.
Key Match Statistics:
| Team | Score | Goal Scorers | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santos | 2 | Gabriel Barbosa (44'), Willian Arao (75') | Neymar (2) |
| Macara | 1 | Franco Posse (4') |
Current Struggles and Future Fixtures
Neymar's impassioned comments come amidst a challenging period for Santos. The club currently sits 17th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, battling fiercely to avoid the relegation zone. They had secured only one point from their two preceding league matches, highlighting the pressure on the squad. Neymar, who has an impressive individual record of 13 goals and 8 assists in his last 24 appearances, acknowledged the fans' long-standing suffering but stressed the need for unity.
Santos now face a critical week ahead. The team will travel to Ambato, Ecuador, next Thursday for the challenging return leg against Macara, played at an altitude of over 2,500 meters above sea level. Before that, a crucial league fixture awaits on Sunday, August 16, described by Neymar as a "final" against fellow relegation strugglers Vasco da Gama.
The call for positive support underscores the intense pressure on Santos as they navigate both continental ambitions and a domestic relegation battle, with their star player urging a shift from past grievances to present encouragement.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 04:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).