Antony Matheus dos Santos has made a remarkable start with Betis, and it’s clear that the Brazilian winger and his agents made an informed decision in choosing the Verdiblanco team as the best option to relaunch his career after a slowdown at Manchester United. This choice has paid off, with Antony signing with thirteen goals to date, marking his best start in a European football team.
He debuted at home against Athletic Club, participating in the play that led to one of his team’s goals, scored by ISCO, and was chosen as the MVP of the match. Antony premiered as a scorer in BalaÃdos against Celtic with a impressive goal, receiving his second prize for the best player of the game in LaLiga. He also scored in the Conference League in Ghent, in the 0-3 victory that puts his team one step away from the round of 16. Most recently, he shone again against Real Sociedad, a key event in his team’s season.
Three goals and three MVP in its first four games
Antony has been showing his skills since he landed in Heliópolis, following the advice of Pellegrini and avoiding risks to focus on concrete moments to really help the team with his football. His goal against Real Sociedad, a spectacular volley with the outside of his left boot, stood out and earned him his third consecutive MVP appointment.
With three goals in his first four appearances for Betis, Antony is signing his best start in a club since he arrived in Europe. In comparison, with Ajax de Amsterdam in the 2020-21 season, he made two goals in his first four official meetings, and with Manchester United in the 2022-23 season, his start was exactly the same, with two goals in his first four appearances in official parties.
“I am very happy here,” Antony said. “I have been very well received by everyone, and this beginning has been incredible. I feel happy on the field, motivated to show the football that brought me to Europe. It has been a very good start, and I want to continue like this. Improve more and more, work harder to return all the love of the club and its fans.” Since leaving Sao Paulo, Antony has played 182 games, scoring 40 goals and distributing 27 assists.
Oliveira and Edu’s affectionate message
Antony’s brilliant start with Betis has caught the attention of two Brazilians who played for the team, Ricardo Oliveira and Luis Eduardo Schmidt, known as Edu. Oliveira congratulated Antony on his great performance: “Antony, brother, I wish you very successful with the shirt of Betis. Congratulate you for your first goal, that many more come, and that the goals can help the team in the objectives of the season. That you can enjoy the Betic feeling, that you feel loved, and that everything can be left inside the field. This club deserves it, and I hope you enjoy a lot, and the fans can enjoy your game. That you do well, here I am from Brazil with all my heart, putting a lot of strength to make it a very successful season.”
! Antony, I hope you can enjoy the Betic feeling, that you feel loved and you can leave everything in the field
Ricardo Oliveira, former Betis player
Edu sent a message to Antony saying: “Hello Antony, how are you? It is a real pleasure to record this video for you. We have some things in common, among them, to have gone through the ranks of our tricolor and now view the glorious shirt Real Betis Football. I wish you all the blessings and fullness in a club in which Brazilians have written a beautiful story. I hope you repeat with you, surely you have been very well received by that wonderful hobby, to be able to play in the Benito VillamarÃn. It is always very special. May God bless you, many successes.” These are just the first unforgettable steps for the ‘7’ Verdiblanco, willing to recover his best version.