Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini says Antony is out for “revenge against himself” to prove he is good enough for European football after his bitterly disappointing two-and-a-half years with Manchester United.
The 24-year-old took his talents to Betis during the January transfer window, joining on a six-month loan which does not include the option for a permanent move, as he seeks to reignite a career which has stalled horribly since his move from Ajax in 2022.
Antony has managed three goals in just four appearances for the Spanish side – he has 12 goals from 96 United games on his record – and Pellegrini admitted the chance to prove himself in Europe is driving the Brazilian.
“The most important thing has been his attitude and his self-criticism,” Pellegrini explained. “If they paid that much money for him it is because he is a player of a great level, who for reasons unknown to me was not able to perform as expected at Manchester United.
“He’s out for revenge against himself to show that he is a much more mature player. I have spoken a lot with him to make him calm, without wanting to show great things, but to keep it simple.
“He is a great player who does important things for the team, and I hope he continues at that level until the end of the season because he will help us a lot.”
Betis have already admitted there is a “possibility” Antony could join permanently at the end of the season, although the left footer’s agent has left the door open to an Old Trafford comeback if things go well.
Such has been Antony’s impressivs start in Spain, he has been nominated for La Liga’s player of the month award alongside Kylian Mbappe, Pedri, Ante Budimir and Oihan Sancet.
