Neymar’s genius telling for Barca
BALLON D’OR BECKONS BRAZILIAN SUPERSTAR Next on the chopping block is struggling Deportivo.
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 percent chance, we’ll have 99 percent faith,” said Neymar before a ball had been kicked in Barca’s stunning revival from a 4-0 first-leg deficit to beat Paris St-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,” he said.
It is for nights like Wednesday that Barca paid millions to recruit and then renew Neymar’s contract until 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, who took responsiblity and dragged Barca back from the brink into a record 10th consecutive quarterfinal.
Firstly, he curled home a brilliant free-kick and then took over penalty duty, despite Messi scoring earlier from the spot, to leave Barca needing just one more.
Amid the bedlam of nearly 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 for Sergi Roberto to apply the finishing touch.
“Not even in our wildest dreams could we have dreamed the way it happened,” Neymar posted on Instagram.
“The impossible is just a matter of opinion.”
Neymar’s display on the biggest stage left many in no doubt he is the heir to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s crown in the future.
“A night worthy of the Ballon d’Or,” said sports daily Marca.
“With his speed, skill and powerful strike, PSG folded up against the best version of the Brazilian.”
After partying into the early hours of Thursday morning with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, Barca and Neymar travel to Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday looking to avoid a hangover.
“It wouldn’t be a bad thing if Barca went out partying,” hopeful Deportivo boss Pepe Mel said with his side sitting just five points above the relegation zone. – AFP