Antony’s Resurgence at Betis: A Tribute to Ronaldo and a Key Player for La Liga

omidbasir- Former Manchester United winger Antony has revitalized his career at Real Betis after making a permanent move to the La Liga club this summer. He scored the sole goal in a recent match against Atletico Madrid, cutting in onto his left foot and striking at the near post from distance, catching goalkeeper Jan Oblak off guard.

In a display of admiration for his former United teammate Ronaldo, Antony celebrated his goal by mimicking one of Ronaldo’s iconic gestures. He has previously expressed deep respect for the legendary player, remarking upon his arrival at United in 2022, “Words can’t describe Cristiano, the best in the world. In just a few days, I’ve learned a lot from him. He has an extraordinary mind, and whenever I talk to him, I take a lot from it.”

Recently, Antony garnered comparisons to CR7 from his Betis teammate Marc Bartra, who noted that the Brazilian possesses a blend of qualities reminiscent of both Ronaldo and Neymar due to his impactful performances.

Following the victory, which came just days after a heavy 5-0 defeat to Atletico in the Copa del Rey, Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive discipline. He stated, “It has been key to maintain defensive security and not concede three goals like in the previous match. We stayed alert, focused, intense, and we didn’t allow Atletico Madrid to have the spaces they had on Thursday.”

Pellegrini also praised Antony for his excellent goal, noting that he has been dealing with pubalgia, a condition that intensifies in cold weather, yet he has managed to contribute significantly on the wing. “It was a complete team effort both defensively and offensively,” he added.

With this victory, Betis solidified their hold on fifth place in La Liga, and Antony is expected to play a crucial role as the team aims for a Champions League spot by the end of the season. After a challenging tenure at Old Trafford following his £86 million ($116 million) transfer, Antony has found renewed success in La Liga, joining other former United players like Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, and Rasmus Hojlund in rediscovering their form elsewhere.