How Antony became a ‘hero in Betis’ after Man Utd sadness

The Spanish club’s players appear to be willing to go to any lengths to keep the Brazilian winger because of how much Antony’s impact on his loan at Real Betis from Manchester United has been.

The sinister-sounding message, “Antonio of Triana,” was posted by Betis captain Isco on his Instagram account. This is your first warning, “We’re going to kidnap you,” the statement read.

The second came shortly after former Betis winger Joaquin made the joke known by saying, “I will if I have to give the car to kidnap him. He has to remain whatever happens.

Betis wants to keep hold of the 25-year-old, so it’s no wonder.

The Brazil international has transformed the club’s season since joining Old Trafford on loan at the end of January.

Betis has won 13 of his 25 matches since he joined, drawing eight, and losing just four. Antony has scored nine goals and five assists in 14 of their goals, including scoring in both legs of the dramatic semi-final victory over Fiorentina, at a rate of better than two per game.

After extra time, Betis won 4-3 on aggregate as Antony scored the winning goal with a wonderful free-kick in Florence and then scored the winning goal for Abde Ezzalzouli, putting them in the immediate position to win club history and their first European trophy.

Guillem Balague, a Spanish football expert and BBC Sport columnist, said, “Antony is already a hero in Betis.” They fall in love with a player who is “a little different” or who has overcome difficulties and finds happiness in Seville.

“Bull fighters can fight in Seville.” They adore Antony because he plays the bull fighter who plays his own way and does things against the script, which is exactly how they adore him. He has improved the team and made it stronger.

Betis has played the man consistently, in the right way, and with love and confidence. He has been both emotionally and brilliantly.

With the fee of £81.33 million (95 million euros, rising to a potential 100 million euros), Antony moved up to the second-most expensive player in United history, trailing only Paul Pogba.

It had a good beginning. Anthony started in United’s Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle in a 44-game span of 2022-23, scoring eight goals and adding three assists.

In the FA Cup final win over Manchester City, he was an unused substitute in 17 of his 38 starts in the following campaign. Before his move to Spain, he did not start a Premier League game until 2024-25, which continued that slump.

In a heartfelt interview with TNT Sports Brazil earlier this week, Antony said, “I couldn’t take it any more.

Ten Hag, then manager of United, claimed in January last year that Antony’s form had been impacted by off-field issues.

After three women made allegations of domestic abuse against him, the Brazilian was the subject of a police investigation. He waived his right to speak with Greater Manchester Police, but he was not detained or charged in Brazil or the UK. He refuted the allegations.

Antony described the time as “very difficult days for me” because of how his unhappiness affected his family life.

He continued, “I was at home, lacking the strength to even play with my son, going to meetings without food, and staying locked in my room.”

“It was very difficult, but God bless me that I managed to advance and that I am now very happy here thanks to the help of my family and primarily God.”

However, Balague doesn’t think Betis will be able to keep Antony because of the transfer fee that United would demand.

I believe Antony belongs in the Champions League, Balague told BBC Sport, “Manchester United won’t sell for less than 50 million euros and Betis will be in Europe.”

They “start off the competition with the notion that they have nothing to lose.” They are in their first final, possess a lot of quality, excel in battles, and adhere to coach Manuel Pellegrini’s advice, and their best players are at their best.

In one way, Antony’s loan arrangement has worked out, he impressed, and Real Betis would undoubtedly like to have him back.

However, he still earns a lot for a club like Betis, so whether he stays there depends on a deal being struck, either with United to offer some kind of subsidy or with the Brazilian to negotiate a wage reduction.

The real issue is whether a permanent sale will be made.

The club has a pretty good chance of recovering the £81,3 million that they paid for him, it is abundantly obvious. United still need to sell him for £32.52 million for amortization purposes because he still has two more years left on his first five-year contract.

Apart from his inconsistent playing time since joining Ajax, Antony is not a good fit for Ruben Amorim’s system. It is impossible to assume that Antony will still play for Old Trafford after the transfer window closes on September 1, despite the fact that we are aware of the significant changes that are expected to occur this season.