After a turbulent spell in England, Brazilian winger Antony arrived at Real Betis on loan in January with a point to prove. Manchester United had invested nearly $100 million to sign him in 2022, and were still paying the majority of his hefty wages to facilitate the move.
In Seville’s verdant Benito Villamarín, the 25-year-old found something that had eluded him at Old Trafford: freedom, confidence, and adoration.
What followed was a whirlwind 2024–25 campaign in which Antony delivered one unforgettable moment after another, swiftly transforming from outcast to verdiblanco hero.
A dazzling debut at el Villamarín
It took just 15 minutes for Antony to make an impact in green and white.
Thrown into the lineup against Athletic Club on February 2, he played a key role in Betis’ opening goal. A curling left-footed effort forced a save that fell perfectly for Isco to tap in. The crowd roared. The Brazilian had arrived.
That early involvement set the tone for a Man of the Match performance in a 2–2 draw. “I needed a performance like that,” Antony said postgame. “I’m honored to have been chosen MVP. I’ll keep working to give my best to Betis and all the fans.”
The home supporters, starved for inspiration, responded immediately. Social media buzzed. The Andalusian chapter had begun.
Volleys and validation against La Real
Two weeks later, under a hazy February sky, Antony announced himself again.
A bouncing clearance came his way just outside the box. He met it with perfect timing, slamming a clean volley into the corner of the net. It was his third goal in three games, already matching his previous tally from 30 matches at United.
Later that day, he threaded a sharp assist to Marc Roca, who sealed Betis’ 3–0 win over Real Sociedad.
For the first time in months, Antony was smiling on the pitch. Betis fans sensed it—this wasn’t a hot streak. This was a revival.
March brought European nights and a stage for Antony to shine.
In a Conference League Round of 16 match against Vitória SC, he combined brilliantly with Isco. First, he latched onto a through-ball and finished cleanly. Later, he returned the favor—beating his man down the flank before laying it off for Isco to score.
That 4–0 win confirmed their place in the quarter-finals. Fans and pundits alike praised the chemistry: one assist apiece, one statement made.
Isco’s post-match interview summed it up: “He’s surprised me, on a personal level and as a footballer. I’m happy that a player of his level is here at Betis.”
Derby delight and a city captivated
The moment Antony became a cult figure came on March 30 in the Gran Derbi.
Real Betis hadn’t beaten Sevilla in a league match for seven years. That changed with a fierce 2–1 victory, sealed at home, with Antony central to the buildup and atmosphere.
After the final whistle, he climbed onto goalkeeper Adrián’s shoulders. Shirt off, flag waving, fans chanting in euphoric disbelief.
The next day, Betis icon Isco joked, “We’ll have to do one of those crowdfunding things.” The city was smitten. The loanee had become theirs.
Stoppage-time stunner in Cornellà
On May 4, Betis were level 1–1 at Espanyol. The game was tense. European qualification was on the line.
Then, in stoppage time, Antony drifted to the corner of the box. He cut inside and unleashed a curling left-footed shot that soared into the far top corner.
The stadium fell silent. The bench erupted.
It was vintage Antony—confident, clinical, and daring. “Monumental,” said teammate William Carvalho.
He pointed to the tattoo on his neck: iluminado. A symbol of belief, now shining in La Liga.
The hero of Florence
His final act was his finest.
In the Conference League semi-final second leg against Fiorentina, Antony stepped up to take a free-kick from 25 yards.
He curled it perfectly off the far post and into the net. Betis went on to draw 2–2 and reach their first-ever European final on aggregate.
At full-time, Antony collapsed to his knees in tears.
“My family knows what we went through to be here,” he said through tears on live television. “I have cried a lot with my mother, with my wife and with my siblings. Because we went through very tough times. I am living a dream now.”
In that moment, the boy from São Paulo was no longer a gamble, no longer a question mark. He was Betis’ emotional heartbeat, and the city of Seville had fallen for him completely.
