Antony was overcome with emotion as he was officially unveiled by Real Betis, marking the end of a turbulent chapter at Manchester United. The Brazilian winger broke down in tears during the ceremony, his voice cracking as he reflected on the personal and professional struggles he endured in England.
“What happened in Manchester, only I know how difficult it was,” he said, wiping away tears. “Training separately... but that’s part of life. I knew this moment would come. It’s in the past.”
Antony had been part of United’s sidelined “bomb squad,” training away from the first team alongside other outcasts. His time at Old Trafford was marked by isolation and disappointment, with just 12 goals in 96 appearances following his £86 million move from Ajax.
His loan spell at Real Betis proved transformative. Under Manuel Pellegrini, Antony rediscovered his form, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 26 matches. Betis reached the Europa Conference League final and secured a top-six finish in La Liga, with Antony playing a key role.
Despite financial constraints, Betis pushed to make the move permanent, eventually agreeing to a €25 million deal with Manchester United, which included a 50% sell-on clause. Antony had spent over 40 days in a hotel near Manchester Airport awaiting the transfer, turning down interest from Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid to return to Seville.
“For me, affection is very important and it’s not all about money,” he said. “Here I have a lot of feeling and affection. It was always my first choice and that’s why I waited until the last day to return to Betis.”
Now back in Seville, Antony begins a new chapter with renewed hope and a sense of belonging—a stark contrast to the isolation he felt in Manchester.
No comments:
Post a Comment