Neymar was never just a player of great moments; he was always a player for great moments, too. That he took a central role on Wednesday night, when Messi and Iniesta and Suárez seemed to have lost their mojo, did not represent his metamorphosis; it was simply the point at which an old lie was exposed.

He had the temerity to take that free kick, the coolness to convert the penalty, the assuredness that meant he not only clipped that ball into Roberto, but told him he was going to do it. He had, he revealed afterward, told the young midfielder that he would ignore the height of Gerard Piqué and the predator’s instincts of Suárez and look for him, and him alone, with that final pass.

The temptation is to suggest that Neymar has wrested the mantle of the world’s best from Messi. It is one that is to be avoided. Messi is not yet 30; even a conservative estimate would have it that he has three or four years of something approaching his best left in him.

That Messi stepped aside for that penalty kick did not represent a changing of the guard; these things do not happen so swiftly, so immediately. It showed, instead, that Neymar will be ready when it comes.

Now that the dust has settled, it can be pointed out that Barcelona did not play especially well against P.S.G. It was not one of those mesmerizing, irresistible performances Messi and his teammates produced with such stunning frequency when this team was in its pomp.

It was not a victory that showcased Barcelona’s beauty or brilliance, but rather those qualities that have so often been overlooked because of them: resilience, character, courage. Over the last decade, this team has not needed them often; it has been much too good to need to dig into that particular well. When they were required, though, they were there, and in fathomless quantities.

And in the middle of it all was Neymar, written off as nothing but show, proving to the world that he has the substance to go with the style. When Messi does stand aside for good, he will be there, ready to slot seamlessly into his shoes, the pressure rolling off his back, just as it has always done.