Antony believes his new-found confidence at Real Betis has allowed him to produce the “best season” of his career. The former Manchester United man has enjoyed a brilliant campaign with the Spanish side.
He has 14 goals and ten assists in all competitions this term, having also netted five times during a half-season on loan in La Liga. That form is a far cry from his displays at Old Trafford.
Antony scored just 12 goals in 96 appearances for United following an £81million move from Dutch giants Ajax. Explaining his recent form, Antony has claimed the confidence given to him by his manager Manuel Pellegrini and colleagues has been a huge help.
Speaking to DAZN, he said: “Very happy. That is from a lot of work, as you have said, I have a lot of pride in what I have been doing. I owe much of that to my teammates too, and to the coach who has given me a lot of confidence. We keep moving forward.”
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He added: “First, happy for the season I am having. It is the best season. I feel very happy, proud. I know the sacrifices with which I have been playing. More than 20 games with discomfort, I always say that when I put on this shirt I sacrifice myself.”
Antony could potentially be reunited with former club United next season. His current side Real Betis remain in the race for a Champions League spot for next season.
They sit fifth in the table and are four points clear of Celta Vigo heading into the final three games of the campaign. Antony has previously explained why he struggled so much at Old Trafford and claimed his personal life was a huge reason.
View 2 ImagesAntony has scored 14 goals for Real Betis this season(Image: Getty Images)
“I think that, apart from my football life, my personal life got in the way a lot, because of the things I went through, the moments I lived there,” he said. “Like it or not, it’s affected me a lot. So, of course, I know the potential I have.
“It’s not for nothing that I went to a World Cup, it’s not for nothing that I was sold to United for a lot of money, and I know my worth. People look at the moment, but they don’t look at the bigger picture, what happens to bring things about.
“So, as I said, my feeling at United was that I had good moments, bad moments too, but of course I could have done more, I could have done better.”
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