Neymar urges Santos fans to stop targeting Ganso

Neymar has urged fans to stop targeting Ganso after the midfielder had another difficult night playing for Santos.

The 22-year-old was subject to an onslaught of boos, coin throwing and chants of “mercenary” at the hands of the Santos fans during their 3-1 defeat to Bahia last night.

Ganso was recently quoted saying "it would be a pleasure to wear the shirt of São Paulo" after he had expressed his desire to leave Santos, which provoked a nasty reaction from the fans.

Neymar said: "We need the support of the fans, it can’t be this way.

"It is an annoying thing because we have won titles for Santos. This is a case of [Ganso] sitting down with the board and solving the situation.

"I would be very sad [if Ganso leaves] because it is the club that I love and admire. I want this novel to end soon and hope he stays at Santos."

Following the game, Ganso explained his side of the situation to journalists whilst in front of groups of supporters.

Ganso said: "I have one of the lowest wages at Santos yet the fans call me a mercenary.

"You can’t do anything against this type of reaction. It is unfortunately part of the culture of our country.

"I've always loved this club and I have always invested in the club. I’ve scored a lot of goals and won titles. When the team loses, the public needs to find a culprit."

Ganso’s future at the Vila Belmiro has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few weeks and the Santos board have previously rejected an offer for the Number 10 from their cross-city rivals São Paulo.