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‘Better to stay home’: Neymar hits back at Santos fans after boos during dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Macara
Neymar hit back at Santos fans who booed the team against Macara, telling negative supporters to ‘stay home’ after inspiring 2-1 comeback with two assists.
Neymar hit back at sections of the Santos support after being criticised during their Copa Sudamericana victory over Macara, telling unhappy fans that if they arrive at the stadium with a negative mindset, they are “better” off staying at home. The Brazilian star played a decisive role as Santos recovered from an early setback to beat the Ecuadorian side 2-1 in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie at Vila Belmiro on Friday. Neymar supplied both assists as the hosts overturned a 1-0 deficit, but the 34-year-old was left frustrated by the reaction from some supporters while his team were struggling.
Macara had stunned the home crowd by taking the lead inside four minutes through Franco Posse. The difficult opening added to the tension around Santos, whose supporters have endured a turbulent period in recent years. Neymar, however, took exception to criticism coming from the stands with a significant portion of the match still remaining.
Neymar tells critical Santos fans to ‘stay home’
Speaking to ESPN after the match, Neymar explained what had prompted his reaction towards supporters during the game. “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 said.
The forward also revealed an exchange with one particular supporter, arguing that players needed encouragement rather than criticism when they were attempting to fight their way back into the contest. “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,” he added.
Santos eventually provided Neymar with the response he had demanded. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward created the equaliser before half-time, setting up Gabriel Barbosa as the hosts restored parity. Neymar then delivered the decisive contribution in the 75th minute, sending in a corner that Willian Arao headed home to complete the turnaround.
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The two assists continued Neymar's productive spell for his boyhood club. He has now registered 13 goals and eight assists across his last 24 appearances for Santos. More importantly, Santos will take a slender advantage into the return fixture in Ambato next week. A draw in Ecuador would be enough to send them through to the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals. For Neymar, though, the comeback also carried a message for the Vila Belmiro crowd: support, in his view, matters most when the team is behind.
