South America core - threats to Neymar and his teammates from ultras?

Santos supporters were left seething after their team suffered a humiliating 6-0 thrashing by Vasco da Gama on Sunday, and they made sure Neymar and his teammates felt their fury firsthand.

In a dramatic scene, Neymar – visibly in tears following the heaviest defeat of his career – was confronted by the club’s ultras. Footage circulating online shows him at the forefront as the rest of the squad stood behind, listening solemnly to the blistering criticism outside the training ground.

The message from the fans was blunt: "What's happening on the pitch is not enough."

Reports from ESPN Brazil claim the players even faced threats of violence at the CT Rei Pele facility. Neymar, meanwhile, tried to reassure the supporters that they were working to turn things around. After the match, it was clear why emotions ran so high – Neymar, who returned to his boyhood club after a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia, was visibly shaken and consoled by a member of the coaching staff as he left the pitch.

Neymar in tears as Santos suffer humiliating defeat

As he headed toward the tunnel, the 33-year-old wiped away tears with his shirt. "I'm ashamed," he said. "I'm totally disappointed with our performance. The fans have every right to protest, obviously without using violence… but if they want to curse and insult, they’re in their right. It’s a feeling of extreme shame. I've never experienced this in my life. Unfortunately, it happened. The tears were from anger, from everything. I can't help in every way. Anyway, it was total s**, that’s the reality."

The aftermath of the crushing defeat was swift: Santos immediately sacked head coach Cleber Xavier as they scramble to salvage their season.

Neymar’s return to Brazil has been a mixed affair. He’s netted six goals and provided three assists in 19 appearances, but Santos languish 15th in the Brazilian top flight, just two points above the relegation zone.