Antony Revives Career at Real Betis After Struggles at Manchester United

The Brazilian winger has found his form in Spain after a disappointing spell in the Premier League.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Antony, a Brazilian winger who struggled during his time at Manchester United, has revived his career at Real Betis in Spain's La Liga. After joining United for a hefty €95 million fee, Antony was unable to live up to the high expectations and was often criticized by fans. However, since joining Real Betis on loan in 2025 and then making a permanent move, Antony has rediscovered his form, becoming one of the top attacking players in La Liga outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Why it matters

Antony's resurgence at Real Betis highlights the importance of finding the right fit for a player. His struggles at Manchester United, despite the club's significant investment, demonstrate that talent alone does not always translate to success, especially when a player is burdened by a high price tag. Antony's revival in Spain shows that a change of scenery and a more supportive environment can reignite a player's career.

The details

After joining Manchester United in 2022 for a club-record fee, Antony struggled to make an impact, scoring just 8 goals and providing 6 assists in 50 appearances. However, since joining Real Betis on loan in January 2025, the Brazilian winger has flourished, scoring 19 goals and providing 14 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions. His attacking output has improved dramatically, with Antony now averaging 0.67 goals and assists per 90 minutes, compared to just 0.28 at United.

  • Antony joined Manchester United in 2022 for a club-record fee of €95 million.
  • Antony joined Real Betis on loan in January 2025.
  • Antony made a permanent move to Real Betis in the summer of 2025.

The players

Antony

A Brazilian winger who struggled during his time at Manchester United but has revived his career at Real Betis in Spain's La Liga.

Erik ten Hag

The former Manchester United manager who drove the club to sign Antony for a club-record fee.

Manuel Pellegrini

The current manager of Real Betis, who has helped Antony rediscover his form.

Julián Alvarez

A La Liga player who has more goal contributions than Antony since the Brazilian joined Betis.

Petar Stanic

A player who has more goal contributions than Antony in the Europa League this season.

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What they’re saying

“Only God and my family know what I've been through. Betis is the best place I've ever lived. Money is important, but happiness is more important. And I'm very happy here. I want to spend more time with Manuel Pellegrini.”

— Antony (transfermarkt.us)

“He is the best player of Real Betis and one of the top players in LaLiga. He's found a team where he is the main star. Barça has Lamine Yamal on the right, and if they sign Marcus Rashford, there won't be room for him. Meanwhile, something similar happens at Real Madrid with Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbppé, Franco Mastantuono and Rodrygo.”

— Ivan Fuente, LaLiga expert at Transfermarkt (transfermarkt.us)

What’s next

Antony will be looking to continue his impressive form at Real Betis and earn a recall to the Brazil national team, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

The takeaway

Antony's resurgence at Real Betis serves as a cautionary tale for clubs and players alike, highlighting the importance of finding the right fit and environment for a player to thrive. His struggles at Manchester United and subsequent revival in Spain demonstrate that talent alone does not guarantee success, and that a change of scenery can sometimes be the key to unlocking a player's full potential.