Three games, three times Man of the Match. Antony couldn't have wished for a better start at Real Betis. The Brazilian winger scored a stunning volley in Sunday's home match against Real Sociedad (3-0), making it clear that he hasn't come to Spain just to enjoy a few months of sunshine.
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Skeptics viewed Antony’s temporary move to Betis with doubt, questioning whether the winger, on loan from Manchester United, had anything left to offer at the highest level.
After struggling for consistency in the Premier League, many assumed his switch to Spain was merely a brief escape from the pressure and scrutiny he faced in England. However, in just a few weeks, Antony has completely rewritten the narrative, proving that he means business and is determined to revive his career.
His first appearance for Betis came against Athletic Bilbao, a game in which he didn’t find the back of the net but still did enough to earn the Man of the Match award. His movement, dribbling, and confidence on the ball hinted at a version of Antony that had been missing for a long time at United. What followed next erased any lingering doubts about his commitment. He scored in back-to-back games against Celta de Vigo and Real Sociedad, while also delivering an impressive performance in the Conference League against AA Gent, finding the net yet again. In total, across four matches, he has been directly involved in four goals, including an assist for Marc Roca’s 3-0 strike against Sociedad.
This explosive start has led to inevitable comparisons between his performances at Betis and his underwhelming spell at Manchester United. In just three weeks in Spain, Antony has arguably made a bigger impact than in two and a half years at Old Trafford. The contrast is stark. At United, the Brazilian often looked lost, struggling to influence games and justify the enormous €95 million fee the club paid to sign him from Ajax in 2022. His end product dwindled, and he was frequently criticized for failing to adapt to the pace and physicality of English football. The statistics are damning Antony has already scored as many goals in four games for Betis as he managed in his last 18 months at United.
His resurgence has ignited debate among football fans and pundits alike. When footage of his stunning volley against Real Sociedad spread across social media on Sunday night, it triggered a range of reactions, particularly among Manchester United supporters. Some questioned whether La Liga’s level of competition is simply lower, making it easier for Antony to shine. Others suggested that United itself has a paralyzing effect on players, with its chaotic structure and lack of consistency in tactics and coaching. The Brazilian’s struggles in England were not unique many high-profile signings have failed to reach their potential at Old Trafford in recent years, a pattern that raises bigger questions about the club’s ability to develop and support its talent.
The Spanish newspaper Sport summed up Antony’s transformation in blunt terms, claiming that he had fooled everyone. "At United, there was little left of the playful winger that Europe fell in love with at Ajax. Four matches at Betis have shown that without confidence, he is nowhere. Antony arrived at Betis like a timid lamb, fragile and harmless. No one knew exactly what to expect from the Brazilian. Some predicted he would show the world that he is a wolf capable of tearing defenses apart. Others had already written him off, convinced that he was only there to enjoy a few months of good weather."
One thing is now certain: Antony did not move to southern Spain for a holiday. He came to prove a point, to remind the footballing world of the electrifying talent that once dazzled at Ajax. He is showing that he was written off too soon, that he still has the ability to be a game-changer when given the right environment. Betis has provided him with the platform to rebuild his career, and the trust of coach Manuel Pellegrini and his new teammates is playing a crucial role in his resurgence.
After his goal against Sociedad, Antony revealed an interesting detail his fellow Brazilian and Betis teammate Vitor Roque, who is also on loan from Barcelona, had already predicted that he would score. "That's why I celebrated my goal with him. The most important thing is to be happy, and I am here. The rest follows naturally." This simple statement highlights the key difference between Antony at Betis and Antony at United. In Seville, he feels comfortable, supported, and confident. At Old Trafford, he often looked like a player burdened by expectations, second-guessing his every move.
If Antony maintains this form, the conversation around him will shift dramatically. What seemed like a desperate loan move to salvage his career may turn into a springboard for a permanent revival. Betis will certainly hope to keep him beyond his loan spell, but if he continues to shine, other clubs will also take notice. And as for Manchester United, they may be left wondering whether they truly ever gave him the right conditions to succeed in the first place.
