Manchester United loanee Antony made an instant impact on his Real Betis debut, earning the MVP award in their thrilling 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao.
The Brazilian winger secured a temporary switch to the La Liga side for the remainder of the season after struggling to meet expectations during his time at Old Trafford.
Having joined the Red Devils from Ajax in the summer of 2022 for a hefty fee of £82 million, Antony showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately failed to live up to his price tag over two-and-a-half seasons. The 24-year-old featured in 96 matches for United across all competitions, netting 12 goals. However, falling out of favor under manager Ruben Amorim, he seized the opportunity for a fresh start with Real Betis in the January transfer window.
His first appearance in Spain got off to a promising start as he played a key role in Betis’ attacking play. Early in the match, his saved shot led to a goal for Isco, giving the home side the lead. Despite Betis being pegged back twice by Bilbao, resulting in a 2-2 draw, Antony’s individual performance stood out, earning him the Player of the Match accolade.
Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini was full of praise for the new signing but also offered some constructive advice on refining his game.
“It was a very positive debut,” said the former Manchester City boss. “He’s a talented player. Before the game, I spoke to him about the importance of playing smartly—he doesn’t need to constantly showcase his skills on the ball. The key is to focus on making fewer mistakes and executing decisive actions, whether it’s scoring a goal, delivering a crucial pass, or providing a quality cross.”
Pellegrini expressed confidence that Antony will be a valuable asset for the team, emphasizing that his immediate impact is a promising sign for the remainder of the season.
With a strong start to his La Liga adventure, Antony will be looking to build on this momentum and prove his worth in Spain.
