Antony revival boosts Betis dream of first European title

The Brazilian winger, 25, escaped his Manchester United nightmare in January as he joined the La Liga side on loan, looking to rebuild a career that had stalled miserably at Old Trafford.

Antony became the Red Devils' second most expensive player ever when he joined from Ajax in 2022 for £81.3 million, but flopped badly under his former coach Erik ten Hag. The pressure at United grew to be too much for the winger, whose best form was out of reach.

"Only I know what it was like to be there at home, not having the strength to even play with my son, going days without eating, staying locked in my room," Antony told 'TNT Sports Brazil' ahead of the final. "I told (my brother) that I couldn't take it any more."

Antony has explained he emerged from a Brazilian favela, playing without boots and against drug dealers, developing a hard shell, so to suffer so much in Manchester is particularly striking.

Once exciting youngster Amad Diallo emerged, Ten Hag's successor Ruben Amorim was happy for the forward to depart, with Manuel Pellegrini's Betis happy to take the gamble and try to kickstart a season which was flagging.

The fit could not have been better for both player and club, as they helped each other get back to their best.

With three goals and an assist in his first four games for Betis across all competitions, Antony was rapidly smiling again in the Andalusian sun before adoring fans.

"It's very easy to play with him, he has incredible talent, he makes good decisions," Isco said of his team-mate in February.

"I hope we can take that step forward to get into Europe." With the Spanish playmaker, called into Spain's Nations League squad for the first time in six years, clicking with the Brazilian, Betis did just that.

They booked a place in next season's Europa League and might have gone one better if not fighting on two fronts. While the Conference League does not mean a great deal to two-time Champions League winners Chelsea, for Betis it would represent a significant accomplishment.

Despite being only one of nine clubs to win La Liga, they have never brought home a European trophy. Betis lifted the Copa del Rey in 2022 but have won nothing else in the last two decades.

Even the club's motto reflects their lack of success - 'long live Betis, even when they lose' - forged with the club in the third tier in the 1950s.

"I had offers but when Betis appeared, I felt a certainty in my heart," explained Antony, with Pellegrini helping refill his exhausted morale. "He gave me so much confidence."

'I've cried a lot'

The veteran coach also helped Antony work on his end product, whereas in England he was often mocked for his penchant for tricks. In return, Antony brought goals, assists and a touch of elite quality that clubs like Betis cannot usually access.

"It's not just by chance that Manchester United paid (that much) for him," noted Pellegrini. Antony struck in both legs of the 4-3 semi-final win over Fiorentina to take Betis to the Wroclaw final and has nine goals and five assists in 25 appearances for the club.

"We went through very difficult times to be enjoying this moment today," said the forward, explaining his tears following the triumph over La Viola.

While Manchester United fell short in the Europa League final and miss out on next season's Champions League, Antony's revival could see him crowned a European champion and earn a big summer move.

Of course Betis would dearly love to keep him at the Benito Villamarin, although the price would be an issue - but Isco has been brainstorming, even suggesting "kidnap" to keep the attacker.

"We need to crowd-fund so he can stay at least another year," joked the midfielder, still scheming, after Antony shone against city rivals Sevilla, one of many outstanding performances in a green-and-white shirt. Real Betis fans badly hope Antony has at least one more to come.