Manchester United winger Antony has enjoyed a remarkable start to his loan spell at Real Betis, having scored his first goal for the club during their La Liga meeting with Celta Vigo on Saturday. The Brazilian, who made the temporary move to Spain during the January transfer window, opened the scoring just 10 minutes after kick-off, establishing himself as one of the key players for the Seville-based team.
Antony's transition to Betis came after he struggled for significant playing time at Manchester United, where he failed to find consistent form since his transfer from Ajax Amsterdam for £82 million (approximately $97.3 million) back in 2022. His arrival at United was meant to signal the next chapter of his career, but it turned sour after accumulating more yellow cards than goals during his tenure at Old Trafford.
During his debut against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, Antony was named Player of the Match, shining through with his skills, creativity, and determination. He played a pivotal role at the heart of the action, enabling his teammates to score and contributing significantly to the 2-2 draw.
On Saturday, Antony's performance against Celta Vigo demonstrated his promise for Real Betis fans. After receiving the ball within the Celta penalty area, he expertly shifted it onto his left foot and curled it past goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for the opening goal. His goal not only delighted the fans but also showcased why Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini expressed his admiration for the young player, noting, "I was delighted with his first game... He is someone who is refinding his confidence because he has the quality. That's why [United] paid so much for him. He is now more mature and ready to show why he cost so much, because he has bags of talent."
Following Antony's opener, defender Diego Llorente doubled Betis’ advantage shortly thereafter, giving the visitors hope for victory. The first half ended with Betis leading 2-0 and seemingly on course for victory, which would have been their first win of the season. Unfortunately, the second half saw the tables turn; Celta Vigo managed to score three times, astonishingly flipping the match result to 3-2 against Betis. Although Antony was substituted out in the 72nd minute, he once again garnered the coveted Player of the Match award, proving his immense value to his new side.
Antony's goal against Celta Vigo not only marks his first goal for Betis but also serves as significant career momentum. The 24-year-old managed to score as many league goals for Betis in just two appearances as he has for Manchester United over the course of 37 games within the last two seasons. His goal drought at United stretched back to April 27, 2024, when he scored against Burnley, showcasing just how much he struggled to find his footing at the club.
His swift adaptation to life at Real Betis, under the guidance of Pellegrini, raises questions about what the future holds for the talented winger. Already demonstrating impactful performances, fans are intrigued to see if Antony can lead Betis to their objective of qualifying for European competition next season. Currently, Betis sits at 10th place in the league, but they are not far off from challenging for the top spots, with aspirations of pushing for European positions as the season progresses.
Antony, on loan until the end of the season, still has unresolved issues concerning his long-term future at United, especially with the current speculation surrounding potential transfers and staff changes within the club. Despite the uncertainty, he has re-established himself as a celebrated player at Betis, creating renewed hope for his career after his rocky stint at Manchester United.
With Betis covering approximately 84 percent of his hefty £200,000-a-week wages, the Spanish side seems committed to giving Antony the opportunity he desperately sought. Should he continue to perform at this level and contribute significantly to Betis’s success, discussions about potentially securing his services beyond this season may arise.
Fans can expect Antony's impactful performances to continue to draw media attention, as his return to form arrives at just the right time—both for him personally and for Real Betis as they seek to grab hold of their potential within La Liga.