Neymar steps out of Messi’s shadow to fuel treble talk
BARCELONA: For a victory “defined by faith” according to Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, the Catalans rose from the dead inspired by the man who never stopped believing.
“As long as there’s a one per cent chance, we’ll have 99 per cent faith,” said Neymar before a ball had been kicked in Barca’s stunning revival from a 4- 0 first leg deficit to beat Paris Saint- Germain 6-1.
A few hours, two goals and a vital 95th minute assist for Sergi Roberto to cap the biggest comeback in the history of the Champions League later, Neymar hailed his display as the “best game” of his career.
“This is the best game I have ever played. For what it meant, for what we experienced,” said the 25-yearold.
Neymar hasn’t always had the easiest time since swapping Santos for Spain three- and- a-half years ago. The murky series of contracts that sealed his transfer have seen Neymar, his father and Barcelona dragged through the courts on corruption and tax evasion charges.
Yet , it i s for night s l ike Wednesday that Barca paid mil lions to recruit and then renew Neymar’s contract till 2021 in October. Pre-match focus had framed the seemingly impossible comeback only realistic if Lionel Messi made it happen.
Instead, three times in a frantic final seven minutes, it was Neymar, not Messi, that took responsiblity and dragged Barca back from the brink into a record 10th consecutive quarter-final.
Firstly, he curled home a brilliant free-kick and then took over penalty duty, despite Messi having earlier converted from the spot, to leave Barca needing just one more.
Amid the bedlam of nearly
As long as there’s a one per cent chance, we’ll have 99 per cent faith. Neymar, Barcelona striker
100,000 voices at the Camp Nou, Neymar then calmly cut inside with Barca’s last chance as the seconds ticked down to tease in the perfect cross on his weaker left foot for Sergi Roberto to apply the finishing touch.
“Not even in our wildest dreams could we dreamed the way it happened,” Neymar posted on Instagram alongside a celebratory photo of he and Messi.
“The impossible is just a matter of opinion.”
Messi and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo have ruled the roost as the world’s two best players since 2008 - sharing nine straight Bal lon d’Or wins. However, Neymar’s display on the biggest stage left many in little doubt he is the heir to their crown in the future.
“A night worthy of the Ballon d’Or,” said Spanish sports daily Marca.
“With his speed, ski ll and powerful strike, PSG folded up against the best version of the Brazilian.” — AFP