Antony’s time at Manchester United may not have gone as planned, but he’s already making waves at Real Betis. The Brazilian winger, who joined the Spanish club on loan in January, delivered an impressive La Liga debut, earning MVP honors and immediately winning over his new teammates.
His first outing in Betis colors came in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao, where he provided a crucial assist. Defender Romain Perraud was quick to highlight Antony’s impact, calling him “a very good teammate” and adding, “He has magic.”
Antony himself appeared delighted with his start, telling LALIGA TV, “I’m very happy with my first game. The fans were incredible, though I’m a little sad about the draw. I was waiting all week for this moment, and I felt really good out there.”
The winger also credited Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini for helping him stay composed. “The manager told me to stay calm. He’s a great coach. Set-piece concentration is important, and we need to improve on that,” Antony said.
Pellegrini, who has previously managed Manchester City, was pleased with his new signing’s contribution. “It was a very positive debut,” he said. “A good player doesn’t need to show off his skills constantly—he just needs to play smart, avoid mistakes, and deliver key moments like a goal, an assist, or a great cross. Antony was very involved, and considering he only arrived a few days ago, I think he’ll be a big asset for us.”
Since making the move from Manchester, Antony has spoken enthusiastically about his fresh start. “When Betis came calling, I felt it in my heart—I had to be here to achieve great things,” he shared in a press conference.
Now, he’ll look to build on his strong start when Real Betis faces Celta Vigo in La Liga this Saturday.