Neymar tells Santos fans to turn pressure into support after Macara win

Neymar has urged Santos supporters to stop booing during matches and get behind the team after helping them beat Ecuadorian side Macara 2-1 in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana last-16 tie.

The Brazil forward created both Santos goals but was unhappy with the atmosphere inside the stadium after the game. He said the players needed encouragement rather than further pressure as they attempt to recover from a difficult period.

Santos are 17th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and are fighting to move clear of the relegation zone. Their next league match, against Vasco da Gama on Sunday, has been described by Neymar as a “final” between two sides involved in the battle to avoid relegation.

“We understand the situation, but if we continue to spend our time reliving what happened in the past, what will happen to the future? And what about the present?” Neymar said, according to RMC. “We are competing in several competitions and we have to enjoy this moment.”

After the final whistle, the 33-year-old went towards the supporters and attempted to lift the mood before making a direct appeal ahead of the meeting with Vasco.

“Every time I make a mistake or one of my team-mates makes a mistake, the criticism starts,” Neymar said. “Support us instead. Stop booing us, guys, clap for us, come on.”

Santos had fallen behind against Macara before Neymar helped turn the match in their favour. He set up Gabriel Barbosa to equalise in the 44th minute, then delivered the corner from which Willian Arao scored the winning goal in the 76th minute.

Although Neymar said he could accept boos once a match had ended, he made clear that he did not believe they helped the team while play was still under way.

“I respect the boos at the end, after the match is over, and I have no problem with that,” he said. “But not during the game.”

He also called for the supporters and players to rebuild the intimidating home atmosphere Santos were once known for.

“Let’s try to support each other,” Neymar added. “Here, it was always like a trap for opponents, and the atmosphere was incredibly intense. They used to say that playing here was like hell. Today, we no longer feel the atmosphere of the past. I miss it.”

The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain player ended his message by challenging the fans to share responsibility for the club’s situation.

“The supporters put pressure on us, and now I am putting pressure on them too,” Neymar said.

The victory gives Santos an important boost before Sunday’s crucial league fixture with Vasco da Gama. They will then turn their attention back to the Copa Sudamericana, travelling to Ecuador for the second leg against Macara on Friday, 21 August.

Santos remain determined to continue their continental campaign, but Neymar recognises that repairing the relationship with their supporters is also essential as the club deals with increasing pressure from its precarious position in the Brazilian league.