Antony opens up on pain of Man Utd spell: “I lost my son’s first steps”

Antony’s difficult Manchester United spell

When Antony arrived at Manchester United from Ajax in August 2022 for a staggering €94 million (£82m/$110m), the anticipation was enormous. He was meant to be the next big attacking star at Old Trafford, someone who would light up the Premier League with flair and goals. But reality told a different story. Over two full seasons, Antony managed just 12 goals and five assists in 90 Premier League appearances. His price tag became a heavy weight, dragging him into constant criticism and scrutiny.

The Brazilian winger admitted that what followed was one of the darkest stretches of his career. Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Antony revealed how he was cast aside, forced to train alone at Carrington for over a month. “I reported back on July 14 and trained separately for more than a month. It was very complicated. For more than 40 days we stayed in hotels. Me and my father were there, waiting. I trained at five in the afternoon while the group trained in the morning,” he recalled.

The sense of isolation was sharp, and he confessed that even the simplest gestures of respect were missing. “I felt there was a lack of respect, even a lack of education. Nobody said good morning or good afternoon. Not even that.” For a player who had left his homeland to pursue his dreams, such alienation cut deep.

“I lost my son’s first steps” – Antony’s emotional pain

Newcastle United v Manchester United – Premier League Antony

While the football challenges were hard enough, Antony revealed that his personal struggles during his time at United were even more painful. He opened up about missing precious family moments – most notably, the first steps of his young son. “I lost my son’s first steps because I was away. That hurt a lot,” Antony admitted, his voice carrying the weight of that memory.

For many footballers, sacrifices come with the territory, but this one left a lasting scar. Being away in England, unable to share milestones with his family, brought Antony to a breaking point. And yet, he found strength in his loved ones. “They reminded me: it’s difficult now, but it was harder in the slums, when you slept on a sofa. That helped me see the good side of things.”

His family’s resilience became his anchor. It helped him push through the isolation, the doubts, and the feeling of being unwanted. He described that period as one where he had to test his own belief and patience. “It was a moment to test myself, to believe. I knew that something good would happen, even if doubts crossed my mind.”

Lessons learned from Manchester United

Despite the heartbreak, Antony is adamant that his time at Old Trafford taught him lessons he will carry for life. “Maybe if I had exploded right away, I might have lost myself later. It was necessary to go through that process. Today I feel like a better man, a better father,” he said.

Those words suggest a deeper maturity, a shift from the eager young winger who left Ajax to a man who has seen the tougher side of professional football. He now speaks about patience, resilience, and the importance of family in a way that shows how those struggles shaped him.

Antony even revealed that before joining Manchester United, his career could have taken an entirely different path. “Before closing with United, I was very close to Liverpool. But the path was meant to be what it was.”

It’s a small detail, but one that underlines how fragile and unpredictable football careers can be. One decision, one transfer, can alter everything.

Antony’s revival at Real Betis

If Manchester was the storm, then Seville has been the sunshine. Antony’s revival began with his loan spell at Real Betis during the first half of 2025, where he rediscovered his spark. With nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances, he reminded Europe of the player who once dazzled in the Eredivisie.

His contributions helped Betis reach the Conference League final, and fans quickly warmed to his direct play and renewed confidence. The Spanish club wasted no time making his move permanent this summer, signing him for around €25m (£21m/$29m) on a contract running until 2030. Manchester United, meanwhile, kept a sell-on clause – perhaps a quiet admission that they still see potential value in the winger’s career.

Now settled in Seville, Antony has already featured five times this season. The pressure is different, the expectations lighter, and the connection with the fans stronger. For a player who thrives on joy and rhythm, that environment might be exactly what he needs.

A story of faith, family, and destiny

Looking back, Antony doesn’t frame his Manchester United chapter as a total failure. Painful? Absolutely. But also necessary, in his words, for personal growth. From missing his son’s first steps to training alone at Carrington, he experienced the kind of challenges that can break a footballer. Yet he emerged with a stronger bond to his family, a deeper sense of perspective, and a renewed belief in destiny.

Football careers are rarely straightforward. They are shaped not just by goals and assists, but by the unseen sacrifices, the lonely hotel nights, and the struggles that test character. Antony’s story is a reminder that behind the headlines and transfer fees lies a human being dealing with life’s most difficult choices.

Now, at Real Betis, Antony has the chance to write a new chapter. One not defined by his price tag, but by his resilience and the joy he brings back to the game. And if his words are anything to go by, he is ready to seize