Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini believes Antony is chasing something far deeper than just form he says the Brazilian is seeking "revenge against himself" as he tries to prove he still belongs at the top level of European football after two difficult, disjointed years at Manchester United.
The 24-year-old winger landed in Seville during the January window, signing a six-month loan without a buy clause. There’s no long-term guarantee, just a shot at redemption.
And for Antony, that might be enough. His career has stuttered since his much-hyped move from Ajax back in 2022 a transfer that came with the weight of an £85 million price tag and all the expectations that follow.
So far, though, he’s wasted no time in Spain. Three goals in just four games for Betis a sharp contrast to his return of 12 goals in 96 appearances in a United shirt.
The difference is night and day, and Pellegrini, who’s known for his calm leadership, has already seen what’s driving his new signing.
“His attitude and self-criticism have been the most crucial aspects,” Pellegrini told local press. “If they spent that amount of money on him, it’s because the quality is there. Why it didn’t work at United, I can’t say. But here, he’s been humble, hungry you can see he’s maturing.”
The Chilean manager added that he’s spoken regularly with Antony, not to pressure him, but to help him let go of the weight he’s been carrying. “He’s trying to keep things simple again. I told him don’t overthink. Just be yourself.”
“He’s an excellent player, he gives so much to the group. I hope he keeps it going we’ll need him until the very last day of the season.”
Betis haven’t ruled out keeping Antony beyond the summer. There’s no option to buy in the current deal, but club sources have confirmed they’re open to negotiating.
Antony’s agent hasn’t ruled out a return to Old Trafford if the situation makes sense, the door’s still slightly open. But right now, everything’s undecided.
What’s not up for debate, though, is how strong his start at Betis has been. His explosive return has earned him a nomination for La Liga Player of the Month alongside names like Kylian Mbappé, Pedri, Ante Budimir, and Oihan Sancet. That alone says something. He’s no longer a forgotten man he’s back in the conversation.
What’s shocked most observers isn’t just the goals it’s the look in his eyes. There’s a fire again, a focus. In Seville, he’s rediscovered something. It’s not the same carefree boy from Amsterdam, but there are flashes just more measured now, more intentional.
It’s easy to forget how bright his star once burned at Ajax. Under Erik ten Hag, Antony wasn’t just playing well he was lighting up the pitch.
Rainbow flicks mid-match like they were routine, left-footed rockets from distance, and that unapologetic Brazilian swagger the kind born from futsal courts, not academy drills. He’d dance after goals like he was back in Osasco, with the rhythm of home in his feet.
That kind of confidence doesn’t always translate to England. And it didn’t. At Manchester United, things quickly went south. The flair turned into frustration. The critics pounced. And under the unrelenting glare of the English media, his magic dried up.
“I used to love the pressure,” he once said during his Ajax days. “But in England, it felt heavier. Colder.”
And that’s what this move to Betis seems to represent not just a change of clubs, but a reset. An emotional breather. In Seville, the pressure’s still there, but it’s different.
The spotlight is softer, the fans are warmer. Instead of jeers, he’s getting chants. At the Benito VillamarÃn, you can hear his name rising from the stands every time he gets on the ball.
Tactically, things have shifted too. Pellegrini has unleashed him. At United, Antony was often stuck wide, forced into the same playbook cut inside, shoot, repeat.
At Betis, he’s been given freedom. He’s drifting into central areas, switching flanks with Ayoze Pérez, finding new ways to influence games.
It’s showing. His third goal, a cheeky outside-of-the-boot strike against Granada, looked like something straight out of his Ajax highlight reel not a move from someone trying to force form, but a player finally enjoying football again.
“You can tell when someone’s playing with peace,” said Betis midfielder Guido RodrÃguez after that match. “Antony’s not forcing it anymore. He’s just being himself.”
Back in Manchester, the shift hasn’t gone unnoticed. United are keeping close tabs. People inside the Carrington setup have reportedly reached out not just scouts, but players and staff.
According to Spanish outlet Relevo, one club member admitted, “He needed this. He needed to breathe.”
Nobody really knows if he’ll end up back at United. Truth is, more and more fans and even some inside the club are starting to feel like a clean break might be best for everyone.
With Sancho potentially coming back into the picture and Amad Diallo finally showing flashes of what he can do, it’s hard to see exactly where Antony fits right now.
But Betis? They’re watching closely. There’s no formal agreement, but discussions with his camp are already underway. If the right fee can be found, and if United are open, Betis could be his next permanent home.
That La Liga nomination only strengthens his case. To be even mentioned alongside Mbappé or Pedri is no small feat. Just over a month ago, Antony was a punchline. Now, he’s earning praise across the continent.
And it’s not just about goals or assists. It’s his effort. The way he chases back. The way he lifts teammates after a tough challenge. Even the Spanish commentary teams have noticed.
“Antony parece otro,” said José SanchÃs on Movistar. “He looks like a different man.”
Betis fans have taken to him not just because he’s scoring, but because he represents something familiar a fighter.
This is a club used to playing second fiddle to city rivals Sevilla, constantly scrapping for recognition. For them, Antony’s journey hits home. A bit chaotic, a bit misunderstood, but still swinging.
The connection was clearest after Betis’ 2–1 win over Valencia. As the players walked off the pitch, a young fan sprinted down from the stands and threw his arms around Antony.
Antony hugged him back, crouched down, and handed over his shirt. No PR stunt. Just a moment raw, unscripted. The kind football was built on.
“That moment,” one fan wrote on Twitter, “was more than football. It was healing.”
Still, nothing’s guaranteed. Antony knows it. He’s been here before hailed as a star, then doubted just as quickly. But this time, he seems calmer. More present. He’s not shouting back at critics. He’s just putting his head down and doing the work.
As La Liga edges toward its conclusion, Betis are fighting for a European place and Antony is at the heart of that fight. If he keeps this form, he might not just book a place in next year’s Europa League he might reframe his entire career.
Wherever the next page turns whether it's a fresh start back in Manchester, an extended run under the Seville sun, or somewhere totally unexpected one thing’s certain: Antony’s journey hasn’t reached its final stop.
And if this version of him, the one we’re seeing now calmer, sharper, playing with purpose again sticks around? Then maybe, the football world will finally get to witness the player he was always meant to become. Not the price tag, Not the headlines but just the real Antony.