When Manchester United signed Antony for around £85 million from Ajax in 2022, they envisioned a dazzling winger with flair, pace, and game-changing potential. But two years later, Antony found himself in football’s wilderness – bereft of confidence, under scrutiny from fans and pundits, and facing personal turmoil. What has unfolded since his January 2025 loan to Real Betis, however, is one of the most compelling comeback stories in recent football memory.
A player at rock bottom
Antony’s struggles at Manchester United were not just tactical – they were deeply emotional and psychological. Isolated from his family, away from his native Brazil, and bombarded by criticism, he admitted to shutting himself in his room for days without eating. He described a bleak mental state where even engaging with his son became difficult. His life in Manchester, he confessed, was hollow, and his performances on the pitch reflected his inner turmoil.
His United career was also plagued by inconsistency. After an encouraging start under Erik ten Hag – his former coach at Ajax – Antony’s form dipped sharply. He lost his starting place and became emblematic of United’s erratic performances. The price tag weighed heavily on him, while the demands of Premier League football proved unforgiving. By the winter transfer window of the 2024/25 season, both club and player knew something had to change.
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A gamble from Betis
Enter Real Betis – a club rich in history, flair, and identity, but without the financial muscle of real European giants. Led by Manuel Pellegrini, the Andalusian club saw in Antony a rare opportunity: a once-explosive talent in need of reinvention. Despite his price and profile, he arrived in Seville on loan without fanfare. There was no grand unveiling, just a quiet promise from Pellegrini: to give him minutes, trust, and a stable environment.
From the start, something clicked. Betis’s more technical, possession-based game suited Antony far more than the directness of United’s style. Pellegrini gave him tactical freedom and positional clarity, mostly fielding him on the right in a fluid front three. Teammates like Isco – himself a rejuvenated figure at Betis – helped integrate him socially and on the pitch. Antony began smiling again. In his own words, he “rediscovered the joy of playing football.”
The on-pitch renaissance
The numbers speak volumes. In just 25 matches for Betis, Antony has scored nine goals and provided five assists, nearly matching his entire output across two seasons at United. But it’s not just the statistics that have caught the eye. It’s his confidence in possession, his risk-taking in one-on-one situations, and the renewed sharpness in his movement.
His most electrifying performance came in the semifinal of the Europa Conference League against Fiorentina. With Betis trailing on aggregate, Antony scored a curling equalizer and later provided a sublime assist in extra time to secure the club’s first ever European final. His match-winning contributions under pressure reminded observers why United paid such a premium for him in the first place.
Antony’s ability to change games with individual brilliance is back. His link-up play with Isco and Nabil Fekir (yet another player who found his feet at Betis after a troubled period) has been fluid and imaginative, and his defensive work rate, once a point of criticism, has improved significantly. Betis have built their European run around players who, like Antony, were written off elsewhere but have found new life in Seville.
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From liability to asset
Antony’s transformation has not gone unnoticed in Manchester. While United fans may still harbor skepticism, club executives now face a dilemma. Antony’s loan to Betis was not structured with a buy option—because few believed at the time that he would regain this level. But now, with his value restored and the possibility of selling him for a substantial fee, United must decide: is Antony’s future back in England, or will they cash in?
Betis, for their part, are desperate to keep him. CEO Ramón Alarcón confirmed that the player wants to stay, and talks have already begun between the clubs. But the financial gap is significant. Even if United were to discount Antony’s price tag substantially, Betis would need to break their wage structure to meet his demands. The club is reportedly seeking help from sponsors and third-party investors to make the deal possible.
A second loan deal has also been mooted, which would allow Betis to retain Antony without the heavy financial outlay of a permanent transfer.
Implications for Manchester United
Antony’s success in Spain is also a reflection on United’s ongoing identity crisis. While several high-profile signings have failed to thrive at Old Trafford, many have found success elsewhere. The club’s difficulty in nurturing talent, integrating foreign players, and maintaining a coherent tactical structure continues to be exposed. Antony’s struggles were not solely his fault—they were symptoms of broader dysfunction.
Should United decide to bring him back, it must be under a clear system that plays to his strengths, with a manager who believes in his unique style. Otherwise, sending him to where he thrives may serve everyone better.
A symbol of redemption
Antony’s story is no longer just about football. It’s about redemption, mental health, and the importance of context. His journey from Manchester’s shadows to the spotlight in Seville is proof of how environment and empathy can resurrect careers. He is no longer a burdened winger hiding from the world; he is now a fearless forward taking on defenders with joy and purpose.
As he prepares for the Conference League final, perhaps the most important match of his career so far, Antony represents more than just a revived talent. He is a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is belief, the right system, and a place to call home.
