Manchester United loanee Antony scored a stunning last minute winner for Real Betis as they beat Espanyol 2-1 in La Liga.
The Brazilian cut in from the right wing before curling the ball into the top left corner from the edge of the box, sending Betis’s away fans into raptures.
The 25-year-old, who endured a miserable spell at Old Trafford after joining for £86million in 2022, has been rejuventated since his loan spell in Spain.
He has now scored seven times and claimed four assists since joining the Seville-based outfit in January.
His performances have earned rave reviews and Betis fans are desperate for him to extend his stay at the club.
Club legend Joaquin even joked that he would kidnap Antony to keep him at the club, after the former Ajax star scored a sensational half-volley to give Betis victory over Fiorentina in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.
Antony scored a stunning last minute winner for Real Betis as they beat Espanyol 2-1 in La Liga
The Brazilian cut in from the right wing before curling the ball perfectly into the top left corner
Antony has scored seven goals and provided four assists since joining Betis on loan in January
Speaking after Betis’ victory, Joaquin said: ‘I’ll provide the car if he has to be kidnapped, but let him stay no matter what.
‘This is the moment to enjoy. I think important moments will come, and we’ll see later.’
Real Betis’s win means they are now just one point behind Villareal, who sit in La Liga’s fifth and final Champions League qualification spot, with just four fixtures remaining this campaign.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side travel to Fiorentina for their Europa Conference League second leg on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Manchester United remain in 15th, two points above 17th placed West Ham, after their 4-3 loss to Brentford on Sunday.
Betis are interested in another loan move for Antony, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid may attempt to sign him permanently, according to El Chiringuito, who report that United are demanding between £34m and £42m for his services.
Although he has two years remaining on his contract at United it remains to be seen if there is any chance of Antony having a future at the club.
The winger struggled for consistency in Manchester and scored just 12 goals in 96 games.
Antony scored a half-volley to beat Fiorentina in the Conference League semi-final first leg
Real Betis legend Joaquin joked he would kidnap Antony to keep him at the Spanish club
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In an interview with ESPN Brasil, the winger said his ‘personal life’ affected his displays for the Red Devils.
He admitted his performances were far below the standard that had seen him secure the Manchester move and be selected as part of the Brazil squad for the 2022 World Cup.
‘I think that, apart from my football life, my personal life got in the way a lot, because of the things I went through, the moments I lived there,’ said Antony.
‘Like it or not, it’s affected me a lot. So, of course, I know the potential I have.
‘It’s not for nothing that I went to a World Cup, it’s not for nothing that I was sold to United for a lot of money, and I know my worth.
‘People look at the moment, but they don’t look at the bigger picture, what happens to bring things about.
‘So, as I said, my feeling at United was that I had good moments, bad moments too, but of course I could have done more, I could have done better.’
