Neymar and his son shared a sweet moment on social media after the Brazilian star suffered his worst-ever career defeat.
The icon was left in floods of tears on Sunday night after Santos lost 6-0 to Vasco da Gama.
Neymar returned to his boyhood club earlier this year after a nightmare 18-month spell at Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal where he was riddled by injuries.
He has had a mixed impact back in his homeland, scoring six goals and adding three assists in 19 games, but Santos are 15th in the Brazilian top flight and just two points clear of the relegation zone.
What they didn’t need, then, was a 6-0 hammering, which saw Neymar overcome with emotion at full-time, wiping away tears with his shirt and being consoled by a member of staff.
His son, Davi Lucca, wrote on social media: ‘Good evening, Dad. I know today has been a difficult day for you and for us, but I wanted you to know that in these difficult moments, and when no one is by your side, know that I will always be there for you.
Neymar’s son, David Lucca (right), wrote an emotional message to his father after the Brazilian icon lost 6-0
Luca called him an ‘idol’ and ‘inspiration’ and reminded his father that he was much loved
Neymar was in tears after Santos, who are in a relegation battle, lost 6-0 to Vasca da Gama
‘You are more than a great father, you are an idol, you are my inspiration, and even when you cry, I want you to know that I love you very much.
‘Always keep that in mind. Now, I want you to hold your head high and reach out to them as you always have and will. You are incredible. I love you with all my heart.’
Few players have ever seen such a public outpouring of love from one of their family members after a defeat, and Neymar was equally sentimental with his reply.
‘I love you, my little one. Dad will get back on his feet,’ he replied.
Neymar has never known such a defeat and to rub salt into the wound, fellow Brazilian and former Liverpool favourite Coutinho scored twice for the opposing team.
The previous heaviest loss of Neymar’s career came back in September 2015 when Barcelona were beaten 4-1 by Celta Vigo in LaLiga.
Following his emotional outburst, Neymar was extremely strong in his assessment of Santos’ performance while he explained why he was crying.
‘I’m ashamed,’ Neymar said. ‘I’m totally disappointed with our performance.
Neymar has scored six goals and added three assists in 19 games since returning to Santos
Former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho scored a brace in Vasco’s thrashing on Sunday
‘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. Unfortunately, I can’t help in every way. Anyway, it was total s***, that’s the reality.’
In the immediate aftermath, Santos sacked their head coach Cleber Xavier as they attempt to rescue their dire season.
During Sunday’s game, Coutinho’s brace was supplemented by goals from Lucas Piton, David Correa De Fonseca, Rayan and Danilo Neves.
Coutinho recently rejoined Vasco, who are his boyhood club, on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell last season as he looks to get his career back on track.
Meanwhile, Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, initially came back to Santos on a short-term deal in January, with the forward expressing his aim to retain top form ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
He subsequently extended his contract until the end of the year in June, with the option for a further six months.
Neymar’s return has bought significant benefits, according to president Marcelo Teixeira (L)
At the time, club president Marcelo Teixeira claimed Neymar’s return to his boyhood club had resulted in significant commercial benefits for the club alongside record-breaking social media growth.
He added: ‘Our idol, our boy, the prince with our number 10 shirt, remains.’
Elsewhere, speaking back in January on his romantic return to Santos, Neymar had expressed his delight at the move.
‘(I’ve been) wishing for this moment to come true for a long time,’ he said.
‘We’re helping each other, Santos are helping me, they’ve opened doors for me to rediscover soccer, to rediscover joy,’ he said.
‘I didn’t want to sign a long contract because I didn’t know how I was going to come back.
‘I didn’t know how I was going to feel during these months. Let’s enjoy these moments, it’s the start of a great era for Santos.’
Then, after he extended his contract in June, Neymar added: ‘I made a decision and I listened to my heart. Santos is not just my team, it is my home, my roots, my history and my life.
‘Here I was a boy who became a man, and I am truly loved. Here I can be myself, truly happy. And it is here that I want to fulfil the dreams that are missing in my career.
‘And nothing will stop me. I go, I come back and I stay. Where it all began and where it will never end.’
Santos are now just two points clear of Vasco – and the relegation zone – following the heavy defeat and are next in action on Sunday when they travel to Bahia.