Antony, the talented winger, recently pulled back the curtain on his professional journey. Now settled with Betis, he offered some candid thoughts in an interview with ‘AS’. He didn’t shy away from discussing his challenging time at Manchester United. More importantly, he spoke about the lessons he picked up from the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo. And here’s the kicker: Antony still firmly believes he can hoist the coveted Ballon d’Or trophy one day. “It’s not impossible,” he stated with conviction.
This past summer was a busy one for Antony. He confirmed that Portugal’s Benfica had even come calling. “Good offers came in,” he explained, “but some were just conversations.” For him, choosing Betis was a clear path. “I knew how important it was to be here,” he said. He had some personal hopes for a Manchester United return, too. His father and even Matheus Cunha, who plays for United now, wanted him there. “He really wanted me to play with him,” Antony recalled, “but it was a tough situation.” He still holds deep affection for Cunha. Thinking back to his time under Ruben Amorim, Antony noted, “We didn’t talk much, there wasn’t much contact.” That led to Amorim’s decision to have him train separately. “I respected that,” Antony added, “Today I am well, I take good care of myself.”
Many remember the hefty 95 million euros Manchester United paid Ajax for Antony in 2022. He’s quick to brush aside any idea that this huge fee hurt his career. Instead, he turned his focus to the elite players he’s encountered. He shared strong praise for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. “I played with Cristiano and learned so much,” Antony said. “He’s among the very best, like Messi, and has won many Ballons d’Or.” Then came a surprising declaration. “But Neymar,” Antony stated, “seems like the most talented player I’ve ever seen.”
So, what about that ultimate dream, the Ballon d’Or? Antony views it as a natural part of his journey, not a present obsession. “It’s a consequence of life,” he mused, “but I’m not thinking about it right now.” His current focus is on his well-being and a steady approach to his game. “I think about being well, about doing things calmly,” he explained. But even with this grounded perspective, the ambition remains. “It’s not impossible,” he concluded, “you have to dream big.”