Since joining Real Betis on loan in January 2025, Antony has revitalized his career, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 25 appearances. His performances have been instrumental in Betis reaching their first major European final in the UEFA Conference League against Chelsea. Under manager Manuel Pellegrini, Antony has become a fan favorite, earning the nickname “Antonio de Triana” and being described as the team’s most influential player, both creatively and emotionally. His flair, work rate, and rediscovered confidence have not only lifted Betis on the pitch but also sparked a genuine connection with the club’s supporters, who now see him as a symbol of their resurgence.
One of the Biggest Transfer Flops Finds Redemption in Spain
Once branded one of the biggest transfer flops in football history, Antony has remarkably revived his career since moving to Spain during the January transfer window.
Old Trafford, once the pinnacle of promise for rising stars, has in recent years become something of a graveyard for young talent. Yet many have found new life away from Manchester United—and Antony’s transformation may be the most surprising of them all.
Take Angel Gomes, now tipped for a Premier League return after breaking into the England squad on the back of a stellar run at Lille. Or Anthony Elanga, who played a crucial role in helping Nottingham Forest qualify for European competition for the first time in nearly two decades. Even Scott McTominay has reinvented himself, becoming a cult hero at Napoli and earning MVP honors during their triumphant 2024–25 Serie A campaign.
Still, it’s Antony’s resurgence at Real Betis that’s turning the most heads. After a disastrous and often ridiculed stint at Manchester United, the Brazilian winger has found form, confidence, and joy once more in Seville. He’s not only helped guide Betis to their first-ever major European final in the UEFA Conference League—he’s also earned a surprise recall to the Brazil national team, two years after his last appearance.
From misfit to MVP, Antony’s story is a testament to football’s unpredictability—and the power of the right environment to unlock forgotten potential.
“I Had No Fear”: Antony’s Journey from Favela Survivor to Betis Revival
Antony’s story is one of resilience, raw talent, and redemption—a journey that began in the gritty streets of a Brazilian favela and has now found unexpected salvation in southern Spain.
Growing up in São Paulo, poverty and violence were daily realities. But football was his sanctuary.
“I would elastico the drug dealers. Nutmeg the thieves. I really did not give a f*ck,” he told The Players’ Tribune. “With a ball at my feet, I had no fear.”
That fearless spirit carried Antony through the highs and lows of his professional journey. But nothing could have prepared him for the mental and emotional turmoil he faced at Manchester United.
After a bright start—scoring in each of his first three Premier League appearances—expectations soared. Yet, as the weeks rolled on, his performances faded. Criticism mounted, and the £82 million price tag began to weigh heavily on his shoulders.
Then came the off-pitch controversy. At the start of his second season, Antony was accused of assault by three women, including an ex-girlfriend. While no charges were ever brought and the investigation concluded in August, the toll it took on him was profound.
He later admitted: “I’ve grown and matured… my third year at Old Trafford will be totally different.” But by the midpoint of the 2024–25 campaign, it was clear Antony was unraveling. Confidence gone. Isolated. He had once endured hunger as a child—but now, he couldn’t even bring himself to eat, to play with his son, or to leave his room.
“I even told my brother that I couldn’t take it anymore,” Antony revealed in a candid interview with TNT Sports Brasil. “But he told me to hold on a little longer, that things were going to change.”
And they did—at Real Betis.
Loaned out in January, few expected a resurgence. Yet in Seville, Antony has flourished—on the pitch and in spirit. With nine goals, five assists, and a UEFA Conference League final on the horizon, he has not only won over fans—he’s rediscovered himself.
Once again, with a ball at his feet, Antony is playing without fear.
