Antony reignited his career at Real Betis after his Manchester United nightmare but the Brazilian is now struggling in Spain with the World Cup just around the corner
Antony's form has dropped off in recent weeks at Real Betis
Antony's form has dropped off in recent weeks at Real Betis
View 2 Images
Antony's form at Real Betis has nosedived with manager Manuel Pellegrini admitting "a bit of everything" is wrong with the former Manchester United winger.
The Brazilian had initially return to form in Spain, where he moved initially on loan after his Old Trafford horror show. The ex-Ajax man was immediately back in the goals, which prompted the La Liga side to invest in him permanently.
Antony was underwhelming at the weekend in a goalless draw with Espanyol, his fourth game on the spin without a goal or an assist. His performance was so flat that he was hauled off just after the hour mark as his struggles continue.
It represents another dip for a man who was regularly ridiculed in the Premier League following his £81million move from Ajax - making him one of United's most expensive purchases ever. They got minimal return for that investment and now his good form at Betis has screeched to a halt.
Pellegrini admitted that a number of different issues were behind his woes: “What's wrong with him? A bit of everything. First, it's a physical issue, because he doesn't train every day. Second, he has pubalgia and if we make him play 90 minutes, it's very difficult for him to recover for the next game.
"Third, that same pubalgia still gives him some discomfort, but one always expects him to do decisive things as he does. We have to continue taking him with great care. I don't think he is in a position to complete 90 minutes, as I say, because that limits him a lot for the next game.”
Antony has posted a more than respectable 12 goals and nine assists in 37 matches this term, but few of those contributions have come more recently. The timing of his drop off in form is far from ideal given that the World Cup is only months away and Carlo Ancelotti will be selecting his Brazil squad.
Antony endured a nightmare stint in Manchester
Antony endured a nightmare stint in Manchester(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA)
View 2 Images
The winger last featured in a Brazil squad in May 2025, where he was an unused substitute for games against Ecuador and Paraguay. The South American nation, who will be one of the favourites, name their 26-man squad on May 18. Among the competition facing Antony is Endrick and Chelsea star Estevao Willian.
Earlier this season Antony said: “To play at next year’s World Cup would be a dream come true and one of the biggest goals of my career. I know that if I want to earn my place back in the Brazil set-up, I need to be at my very best here at Betis."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of MirrorFootball content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.