Real Betis winger Antony says he has been reduced to tears after swapping a difficult stint at Manchester United for a ‘dream’ run to the Conference League final with his new La Liga club.
Antony was signed by United for £86 million in 2022 before going on to register just 12 goals and five assists in 96 matches.
In January, he was loaned out to Real Betis and has been one of the La Liga side’s best players since.
On Thursday night, Antony scored a sensational free-kick against Fiorentina before setting up the extra-time winner, assisting Abde Ezzalzouli’s 97th minute strike to confirm the Spanish side’s place in the Conference League final.
‘I’ve cried a lot, with my mother, with my wife, with my sister, with my brother, because we went through very difficult times to be enjoying this moment today,’ said Antony.
Antony has been a key figure for Real Betis during their run to the Conference League final
The Brazilian winger scored a sensational free-kick before assisting the winner on Thursday
‘I’m a little tired, but happier than tired.
‘We knew the match was going to be tough. We had to enjoy the moment, being in a final, so we had to celebrate with the fans,’ the Brazilian told Marca.
Antony has previously said he believes personal issues stopped him playing his best.
In 2023, he was accused by his former partner Gabriela Cavallin of offending, assaulting and threatening her, leading to the Sao Paulo police department conducting an investigation.
A year after the complaint was made, the police found insufficient evidence of any wrongdoing on Antony’s part and concluded their investigation, as reported by Globo.com.
Speaking after the match on Thursday, Antony once again referenced difficulties in his personal life.
‘I feel very happy. My family and I know what we went through three or four months ago to be living this moment today.
‘I’m living a dream because I’ve been through a lot in my personal life; it’s changed now.
Antony said he was ‘living a dream’ with Betis after a difficult stint with Manchester United
The Brazilian’s free-kick curled from 35 yards out before deflecting off the post and in
‘I’m very grateful to God for everything, so I can live this moment for myself and my family.
‘When the match is over, the emotion comes because it’s joy and also relief because I’ve been through difficult times in my life and today I’m experiencing an incredible moment, not only on the field, but also as a family, which is very important, and I feel very happy.
‘It was a very difficult match, we should have been more attentive to set pieces.
‘It can’t happen again, but in a semi-final, everything happens.
‘This group, the players, the staff, is incredible, that’s what this locker room is like, everyone united.’
Betis have four La Liga fixtures to go before the season ends, sitting one point outside of the top-five Champions League qualification spaces as things stand.
They will face Chelsea in the Conference League final later this month.
