- Neymar was issued a second yellow after punching the ball into an empty net
- Botafogo went on to score 10 minutes later to condemn Santos to a home defeat
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is Ruben Amorim too honest?
Neymar has begged fans to forgive him after he was sent off for a bizarre handball.
The 33-year-old forward is now back at his boyhood club Santos following a difficult stint with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Santos suffered a 1-0 home defeat against reigning champions Botafogo on Sunday night to leave them 18th in the table after 11 matches.
Their troubles worsened when captain Neymar was sent off after attempting a ‘Hand of God’ imitation.
At 75 minutes, with the match still goalless, the Botafogo goalkeeper palmed a cross into his path, and it struck him in the midriff.
A defender was poised to reach the loose ball and clear it, but Neymar leapt forward and punched it into the net from close range.
Neymar punched the ball into the net during Santos’ 1-0 loss to reigning champions Botafogo
The Brazilian forward was sent off for a second bookable offence after his blatant handball
Neymar has taken responsibility for Santos’ defeat and has asked fans to ‘forgive’ him
However, the referee saw it and gave Neymar his marching orders having issued him a second yellow.
And just 10 minutes later, Botafogo winger Artur Victor Guimaraes scored to condemn Santos to a seventh defeat of the season.
Neymar posted on Instagram afterwards: ‘I made a mistake, forgive me! Today, if I hadn’t been sent off, I’m sure we would have gotten the three points. You can count these three points against me!’
That could be Neymar’s final act for the club, as his short-term contract is due to expire on June 30.
He will miss the next game against Fortaleza due to suspension, and with the match after that against Palmeiras not scheduled until July 11, his time with the club may already be over.
The former Barcelona star hasn’t matched the form of his first spell at Santos, missing eight games due to injury and netting just three goals in 11 appearances.
