Antony Reflects on His Journey at Betis and Aspirations Ahead

omidbasir- A goal from Antony half an hour into the match against Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano secured a crucial victory for Betis, offering a sense of redemption following their recent Copa elimination at the hands of the same team. The Brazilian, who recently marked a year at the club, shared in an interview with Canal Sur that signing with Betis was the best decision of his life. He expressed, “I have lived an incredible year; not just me, but my entire family is very happy here. I am proud to wear the Betis jersey and to be part of a team and a city that I truly love.”

Antony highlighted the daily interactions with teammates, noting, “The team feels like a family, and that makes a significant difference. The key element has been the people; their warm welcome and affection make the days enjoyable.” His negotiations with Manchester United extended throughout the summer after spending several months on loan at Betis. He reflected, “I went through a challenging period without a preseason, but I take care of my fitness. I arrived well-prepared despite missing the preseason, and being here is a dream come true.”

Discussing his physical condition, he mentioned, “Since the match against Getafe, I have been playing with considerable discomfort. It is challenging and quite painful. I strive to perform at my best, despite these issues. I am undergoing treatments, as I dislike missing matches due to discomfort. I understand the pain I endure after every game, but I don’t let that serve as an excuse; I always aim to give my all and remain available for Betis.”

On his performance, he admitted, “I refrain from using this as an excuse, but it is the reality. For instance, I receive treatment in the morning, and once I return home, I continue treatment. These are things that people may not be aware of. Imagine being in a hotel for forty days, without your team. Since my arrival, I have played every match. The coach and my teammates are aware of the sacrifices I make to be on the field. Criticism is inevitable, but it’s crucial to stay focused because I know my potential and work every day to showcase my best self.”

Referring to the upcoming World Cup, he stated, “Playing in a World Cup is a dream. Wearing the national team jersey is very special, but first, I must perform well here, contributing positively to the team, as that will lead to national team opportunities. I need to concentrate on scoring, assisting, and winning matches. It would be a dream to play in my second World Cup.”

Regarding their Copa elimination, he reflected, “It was tough. The week was challenging, especially with our fans who expected a lot from us, but we have learned from it. For me, the coach’s talk about self-critique was crucial; we all needed to improve significantly, which we demonstrated in Madrid through our attitude and team spirit. We mustn’t only reflect on the negatives, as we are having a good season. We need to learn from our mistakes in the Copa and move forward.”

When addressing criticisms directed at coach Pellegrini, he noted, “What matters most is us. We know how we work, and while our fans have valid expectations, we recognize that we played poorly. We came together after the coach’s discussion and understood the need to change our intensity and show that we are a family.”

On teammate Isco, he remarked, “He is a fantastic player. I always communicate with him and tell him that when he is on the field, things become easier. I hope he recovers as quickly as possible. He must take it slowly, day by day, as he’s facing tough times with injuries. We are all supporting him. When Isco plays, everything feels better for me.”

Reflecting on their journey to the European final, he concluded, “I have learned a lot and take pride in our achievement of reaching the Conference final. I am proud of our team and the players we have. We’ve learned much and aspire to play in a final, but we must remain humble and focused on each match ahead. I hope we can reach another final.”