New Delhi: With wind in his sails in his loan spell at Real Betis, Antony has rediscovered his love for football in Spain. The 25-year-old winger joined Betis from United in January on a six-month loan deal, and is looking forward to cap off the season on a high in the Conference League final against Chelsea on May 29.
Antony, who has scored eight goals in 24 matches across La Liga and the Europa Conference League, has enjoyed a superb spell in Spain so far, a stark contrast from his time at Old Trafford.
Antony joined United from Ajax in September 2022 for a reported £86 million and managed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for the Premier League giants, which prompted massive criticism from fans and pundits.
But the Betis spell has come as a boon to the Brazilian star, whose reversal in fortunes has attracted massive interest in signing him, including Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly preparing to make an offer this summer.
The situation in Spain is completely opposite from what Antony experienced at United, so much so that he didn’t eat for days and lost interest in playing football.
“Coming to Betis changed a lot because I needed to find myself, because of everything I went through in my personal life,” Antony told TNT Sports Brazil.
“As I said, I wanted to do things, but they didn’t seem to work out because I wasn’t happy, I didn’t feel that desire to play football, and I needed to find myself and be happy again because playing football was always something I loved.
“I went through difficult times (at Manchester United) when I no longer felt that pleasure. I even always told my brother, I told him that I couldn’t take it anymore.”
Antony breaks down while remembering Man United spell
Antony broke down in tears and revealed how the torrid times at United impacted his mental and physical well-being.
“(My brother) told me to hold on a little longer, that things were going to change,” he added. “It even made me emotional, because they were very hard days for me. Only I know what it was like to be there at home, not having the strength to even play with my son, going days without eating, staying locked in my room.
“So, for me it was very complicated, but thank God, with the help of my family and mainly with the help of God, I managed to get ahead and today I am very happy here,” he added.
Antony was already touted as one of several high-profile players heading for an exit at Old Trafford. Skipper Bruno Fernandes and Argentina star Alejandro Garnacho cast doubts on their futures following United’s Europa League final loss to Tottenham, a result that summed up United’s dismal season.
Now, Antony’s comments on his past at Old Trafford are a clear signal about his future, which, at the moment, looks destined to be away from Manchester.
Antony, in the past as well, has spoken publicly about his discontent at his current club. During his time in Nethertlands, Antony revealed that the Ajax hierarchy is not letting him leave in the summer transfer window despite Man United’s mammoth bid.
The reversal in fortunes has attracted massive interest in signing Antony, who has impressed in his loan spell at Real Betis from Manchester United. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
