Barcelona assistant manager Jordi Roura hailed Lionel Messi's desire after the World Player of the Year helped guide the Spanish giants past Paris Saint-Germain and into the semifinals of the Champions League.
.
The Spanish league leaders were heading out of the competition as they trailed 1-0 on the night, and 3-2 on aggregate, when Messi was introduced as a second-half substitute having started on the bench to protect a hamstring injury.
.
And the Argentine made a decisive impact as he was involved in the move that led to Pedro's equaliser which took the Catalans through on away goals.
.
"It was a pact that we had with him that if things weren't going well, we would bring him on," Roura told a press conference.
.
"He is so important and his presence on the field conditioned the game after we had conceded a goal and made an impact on the opponent.
.
"Once again he has shown his competitive spirit and desperation to always be there for the team and we have to take our hat off to him."
.
Barca have now reached the last four of Europe's premier club competition for a record sixth successive season, but this was far from their most fluid display.
.
PSG controlled the vast majority of the first period and had chances to kill the game off when leading and Roura accepted Barca need to improve before the semifinal first-leg in two weeks' time.
.
"Once again the team has shown its courage. To reach six straight semifinals is something of great merit.
.
"Obviously there are things we can improve on, but first we have to enjoy reaching the semifinals.
.
"We will take a couple of days to rest and recuperate physically and then approach the semis with everything we have to try and win."
.
PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile also praised his players for their impressive diplay.
.
"We did everything we could to win. We played a great game and we were close," he said.
.
"It was a marvellous night, but it would have been fantastic to get to the semifinals. We did well and didn't give up at any point."
.
However, Ancelotti believes by taking Barca so close over the two legs they have proved they will be a force to be reckoned with in the next few years.
.
"This game will be useful for us for the next seasons. We lacked a little bit of experience and some of our players were discovering the competition for the first time.
.
"Only time will allow us to gain the experience to get to the semifinals and this will be the objective for next year.
.
"We lost just once in 10 games, we finished first in our group and went out against a very strong team, in a very even game.
.
"Some poeple would say we didn't deserve to lose and so the experience was really good for us. I am sure we will be better in the coming years."
Lionel Messi showed he won World Best 4 times consecutively on the pitch yesternite. He won the game for them...