Neymar not only helped drag PSG into the Champions league semi-finals on Wednesday night, he also did something no other man has done in the competition in 12 years.
The Brazilian was the French side's best player on a night where it looked as if they would falter in Europe once again as the game entered the 90th minute.
However, they turned it around, Neymar involved in both goals as Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting struck to seal a 2-1 victory and a place in the semi-finals.
Neymar had the look of a man trying to do it all on his own for much of the game and the stats show it.
In fact, his 16 completed dribbles was the most by a player in the tournament since Lionel Messi against Manchester United in 2008. Javier Zanetti also managed the same amount against Dinamo Kiev in 2003.
Not everything went Neymar's way, the 28-year-old missing two big chances in the first half.
However, his performance as a whole was a firm reminder of why he is one of the best players in the world, Atalanta finding it almost impossible to deal with him at times.
Speaking after the game, Neymar told RMC Sport: 'I never thought of elimination, I never thought of going home. From start to finish, we thought about qualifying for the semi-finals.
'No-one is going to take my mind off that - I want to go to the final. Another level will come from us.
'We are very happy, we are experiencing very strong things. We are a great group, a family, with this state of mind it's impossible to eliminate us.
'We never gave up, even in difficult circumstances. The desire that I have to win the Champions League was present long before this match, it never left.'
'There is one game left to go to the final. We will give everything, We will do everything to win.'
'It was difficult - Atalanta is a great team, which has played well all season and have been the surprise of the competition.
We knew that they were very aggressive, that they pressed all over the pitch. They played really well, so we are very happy with what we did.
'Now we're going to rest because this was a mentally exhausting match.'
Boccdilry
952
Probably one of heβs best game and worst game at the same time he looked like he was playing against heβs lil brother ππ
LFSLSGS
809
If thatβs the way Neymar perform in every match thereβd be no player to even come close to him in terms of football for me thatβs the best individual performance in the last decade heβs so good on the ball and no matter what heβs one the best ever (genius)
KingJerryTheGreat
676
For these few past recent years Neymar has been always number one on best dribbling players. Now he's passed Messi in 16 dribbles with his 17 against Atalanta today. Ronaldo still has his 20 dribbles against Benfica because he's the UEFA Cristiano League......πππ
Yung_Daniel_Xx
528
sehajbains_02
507
because Cristano was the best dribbler during Man Utd days
Yaddemoz
488
if messi and neymar play along...they can dribbles the whole squad of atalanta...neymar is too good...hope he will not make the same mistakes like ronaldinho by enjoying the life with the party
KingJerryTheGreat
348
Still no one has broken Ronaldo's 20 dribbles in a single match. I present you UEFA Cristiano League. AF might ignore it but STATISTICS won't......π
zukdkltz
315
Neymar is mentally so strong.... his team was losing, he was missing the goals... but he was trying, fighting and dribbling till the last minute π..... We miss him a lot in Barca....I still thinks that we won that 6-1 against PSG just bcz of Neymar but the media gave all the limelight to Messi... which hurts Neymar and hence he decided to leave the club... which is 100% right decision if we see it with a neutral point of view.... miss you Neymar ππ
Nadan7
104
Neymar helped PSG to dribble past the Atalantic Ocean π
Md_Majharul
15
For these few past recent years Neymar has been always number one on best dribbling players. Now he's passed Messi in 16 dribbles with his 17 against Atalanta today. Ronaldo still has his 20 dribbles against Benfica because he's the UEFA Cristiano League......πππ
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your mr champions league is out of the league [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
shanofrank
10
Still no one has broken Ronaldo's 20 dribbles in a single match. I present you UEFA Cristiano League. AF might ignore it but STATISTICS won't......π
[image]
they're talking about champions league, ain't no one taking his accomplishment from him, so chill
Cepacioryz
9
For these few past recent years Neymar has been always number one on best dribbling players. Now he's passed Messi in 16 dribbles with his 17 against Atalanta today. Ronaldo still has his 20 dribbles against Benfica because he's the UEFA Cristiano League......πππ
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Let ronaldo past 5 dribbles first then 20, messi and javier only reach that and neymar equal today
BT_CR7
8
π π Ronaldo and dribbles are same as car and carpenter
bro his performance vs benfica is not joke that is really true he completed 20 dribbles vs benfica not even messi managed it