Neymar: 'If you're negative, it's better to stay at home'

Neymar Jr. once again impressed with two assists, enabling Santos to overturn a deficit against Macará. However, his remarks after the match drew attention to the behavior of the supporters.

Neymar Jr. once again was the most important figure in Santos' victory over Macará in the Copa Sudamericana. The Brazilian star provided two assists, helping Peixe complete a comeback. This performance further demonstrated Neymar's influence on the team's play and his ability to create chances, which has become his hallmark.

After the match, Neymar reflected on his playing career and emphasized his consistent assist-making ability. The Brazilian striker believes that continuously creating opportunities for teammates is a key part of the legacy he has left at the clubs he has played for. However, Neymar's most notable comments were directed at the Santos fans in the stands.

Neymar acknowledged that Santos fans have endured many difficult years and understands why they have high expectations for the team. Nevertheless, he was unhappy with the pessimistic attitude that surfaced during the match. According to Neymar, constantly bringing negative energy to the stadium does not help the team, especially when Santos still has the ability to turn things around.

Neymar said: “I know the Santos fans have been suffering for years, but if you keep thinking about that and come to the stadium with a negative mindset, it's better for you to stay at home.” This statement shows the Brazilian striker's disappointment with the reaction from a portion of the audience. He wants the fans to maintain faith instead of quickly becoming pessimistic when the team faces difficulties.

Notably, Neymar also mentioned the change in attitude from the stands after Santos staged the comeback. He continued: “Then we came back and everyone started making heart signs. At that point, everything was easy.” The remark was sarcastic in tone, reflecting the contrast that Neymar observed between the moment the team was struggling and when Santos regained control of the game.

Aside from his complaints about the fans, Neymar remained focused on asserting his value on the pitch. He shared: “Throughout my career, no matter where I played, I have been able to provide many assists. That's why I am the all-time leading assist provider for the Brazilian national team.” The two assists against Macará therefore further cemented Neymar's role in Santos' comeback.