Fans have possibly witnessed one of the biggest shocks in world soccer.  Santos FC, which produced soccer greats like Pele, Carlos Alberto Torres, and Neymar, has been relegated from the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. Neymar, who was following their game, suffered heartbreak and even reacted to the result. The club has been suffering this season, with their below-par performances leading to their downfall.

The club has been having a tough time for the last few years. Hardly making any mark, the team finished in the latter half of the table last year too. However, they were handed the final blow last night.

Santos FC loses their top-flight status

Only needing a win in their last match, the Peixe failed to make a mark as they lost to Fortaleza 2-1. The home crowd received a shock after a goal in stoppage time sealed their fate. Now the team will play in the Brasileiro Serie B, division 2, for the 2024 season. Neymar took to his Instagram story to share his grief calling it ‘Santos Sempre Santos’ meaning Santos Always Santos.

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In its 111-year history, this is the first time Santos has been demoted to the 2nd tier. Based in Santos, Sao Paulo, the club rose to prominence in the 1950s with one of the world’s greatest players, Pele. The club has won eight Série A championships, the last being in 2004. The team was runners-up in 2019 but later saw them drop to 8th, 10th, and 12th in the subsequent seasons.

Neymar joined the club as an 11-year-old and rose to fame during his teenage years. The player won the 2011 Copa Libertadores and the 2010 Copa do Brasil with the team. He also lifted the South American Footballer of the Year and the Puskas Award titles in 2011. Adding to his painful injury, seeing his home club go down this way would be a disappointment, to say the least.

Santos’ journey comes to a sad end

They did not win even a single game in their last five games. One win could have given them the extra two points to continue at the highest level. The last fixture against Fortaleza was always against them. The team just won a single game against them in the last six outings.

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During the game, the visitors took the lead in the 39th minute from a counterattack. Santos had made a comeback in the 58th minute after a header from Messias. The legendary Pele’s club still had a chance to clinch a winner. However, every local fan’s heart was shattered in stoppage time. The 96th-minute goal was the final nail for the Sao Paulo club after Lucero’s long-distance cannonball ripped into their goal.

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