Recently, Antony spoke with Brazil’s Globo Esporte, reflecting on his journey from Manchester United’s difficult period and off-field controversies to his re-emergence in the national team.
Hailing from the Osasco slum, Antony has now reached the peak of his career. He has made Carlo Ancelotti’s first squad, become a hero at Betis, and reignited his hopes of playing in another World Cup. This season, he has already recorded 6 goals and 2 assists, regaining his form at Betis.
Return to the national team
Antony’s resurgence was far from easy. After a restricted spell at Manchester United with limited opportunities under Rúben Amorim, he briefly guided Real Betis into the upper half of La Liga during his loan while also reaching the UEFA Europa Conference League final with impressive performances. This form ultimately secured his permanent move to Betis. Bayern Munich attempted a last-minute intervention, but Antony’s commitment to Betis prevailed. In May, three days before the Europa Conference League final, Antony experienced a career-defining moment: hearing his name called by Ancelotti in his hotel room in Wrocław, Poland, left him overwhelmed with emotion.
Antony shared: “Blimey, for me, that was more exciting than my first call-up to the national team. I think it’s because of everything I’ve been through. I couldn’t stop crying. I had to wait in my room for a while before going down for dinner because I’d just arrived in Poland and we were about to play the final.”
“I caught the squad announcement just as Ancelotti started reading out the names. I was incredibly nervous, and when I heard my name, the emotions just hit me. It wasn’t just me – my family felt it too. I immediately called my wife, brother and parents. Everyone was thrilled because we’d been through so much, and I’d managed to turn things around at Betis in such a short time, earning my way back into the national team.”
The “many things” he referred to included allegations from his former girlfriend in 2023 accusing him of violence and threats, which led to his exclusion from the national team for matches against Bolivia and Peru that September. Last August, he cleared his name, with the case closing without charges. Having moved past off-field shadows, Antony’s sporting revival was equally challenging. Initially, he saw his loan to Betis as “a step backwards,” but soon realised it was the right choice, rediscovering “the Antony from the slums,” restoring his dribbling and scoring spectacular goals.
Antony explained: “Brother, when I said I’d become ‘the Antony from the slums’ again (in that Instagram post), I meant rediscovering myself, finding joy once more, seeing my family smile and being able to smile myself. That period was incredibly tough – even a simple smile felt impossible. When I speak of rediscovering myself, it’s because everyone here at Betis has shown me such care and acceptance, allowing me to find joy in the little things again.”
“Back in the neighbourhood, no matter how tough things got, I was always happy. And I’m seeing that feeling in myself again – sometimes the smallest gesture can make me smile. So when I said that, I meant maintaining that sense of happiness no matter what.”
Antony of Triana
His outstanding performances at Betis have earned him several nicknames and comparisons. He is called “the Antony of Triana,” referencing an influential flamenco dancer from the Triana district. Recently, he has also been nicknamed “Lionel Antonio” after scoring a goal against Lyon reminiscent of Messi’s first career strike. His personal favourite remains the goal against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League semi-final.
He stated: “Thank God, I’ve scored some lovely goals here. My teammates even joke, ‘Hey, could you score one that isn’t quite so spectacular?’ Of course, the one against Fiorentina was crucial, helping us progress in the semi-finals. For me, the most beautiful was against Espanyol – a world-class strike in stoppage time. But in terms of importance, it has to be the one against Fiorentina, as that represented a significant milestone for us.”
“Messi has always been my idol and role model. I’m delighted to have scored that splendid goal; I’ve followed Messi since I was a child. His journey is truly remarkable, and everyone holds him in the highest regard – myself included. I’ve always kept a close eye on him and greatly admire his style of play. To score such a goal against Lyon brings me immense joy.”
Antony has now contributed 15 goals and 8 assists in 37 matches, becoming a fan favourite and thoroughly enjoying life in Seville. The climate, hospitality, cuisine, and language have all helped him adapt. He quickly integrated, and his family loves the city. His son Lorenzo’s opinion was crucial in Antony rejecting Bayern Munich’s approach.
Antony stated: “Honestly, mate, this whole thing genuinely took me aback. After all, it’s Bayern Munich – a world-class powerhouse – and a manager like Kompany calling me. We chatted for a while – he was extremely courteous, saying he’d always admired my style of play. And this was at over 11pm.”
“Honestly, it really swayed me. The calibre of the club, the calibre of the manager, and the way he approached me. But the family decision was also crucial – I had to consider my children. Lorenzo absolutely adores it here, loves the city. When we were on holiday in Brazil, he kept asking: ‘Dad, when are we going back to Spain?'”
