Nou hero Neymar finally knocking on the d'Or

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 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 Saint-Germain 6-1 and advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.

A few hours later at Camp Nou, Neymar had two goals and a vital 95th-minute assist for Sergi Roberto to cap the biggest comeback in the history of the tournament.

Neymar rated the performance as the best of his career.

"This is the best game I have ever played," said the Brazilian. "For what it meant, for what we experienced."

Neymar hasn't always had an easy time since swapping Brazilian club Santos for Spain three-and-a-half years ago.

The murky series of contracts that sealed his transfer have caused Neymar, his father and Barcelona dragged through the courts on corruption and tax-evasion charges.

Yet, it is for nights like Wednesday that Barca paid millions of dollars for Neymar and then renewed his contract until 2021.

Pre-match predictions said the comeback was only realistic if Lionel Messi made it happen.

Instead, three times in a frantic final seven minutes, it was Neymar that took responsibility and dragged Barca back from the brink into a record 10th consecutive quarterfinal.

First, he curled home a brilliant freekick and then took over penalty duty, despite Messi having earlier converted from the spot, to leave Barca needing just one more goal to advance.

Then, as the seconds ticked down, Neymar cut inside to create Barca's last chance, teasing in a perfect cross on his weaker left foot for Roberto to finish and spark wild celebrations.

"Not even in our wildest dreams could we have dreamed the way it happened. The impossible is just a matter of opinion," Neymar posted on Instagram.

Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo have ruled the roost as the world's two best players since 2008 - sharing nine straight Ballon d'Or wins. However, Neymar's display on Wednesday convinced many that he is the heir to their crown.

"A night worthy of the Ballon d'Or," said Spanish sports daily Marca.

"With his speed, skill and powerful strike, PSG folded up against the best version of the Brazilian."

Neymar is used to carrying big burdens.

He took Brazil to the 2014 World Cup semi-finals on home soil in 2014 before his back was broken toward the end of a bruising last-eight clash with Colombia.

He made up for that disappointment somewhat by scoring the winning penalty as the host claimed a first Olympic gold at the Rio Games in August.

Rather than be cowed, Neymar is inspired when his team needs him most.

And he could be key as a revitalized Barca goes for a second treble of Champions League, La Liga and King's Cup titles in three seasons.

"We believed before and now even more (so)," added Neymar, who partied into the early hours of Thursday morning with Formula One star Lewis Hamilton.

The 25-year-old striker will hope to avoid a hangover when Barca travels to Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday.

Agence France-Presse