It is no exaggeration to say Antony’s loan move to Real Betis is among the best January loan deals of all time. Wilting under the huge pressure at Manchester United and out of place in Ruben Amorim’s system, the Brazilian really couldn’t hack it and has found a much happier space for himself in Seville.
Real Betis and their fans love him, and his contributions have helped the club get to the UEFA Conference League final, which will be played in Poland against Chelsea on May 28th.
Antony will be the player Real Betis look at to help them overcome the Premier League club.
Sunday’s edition of [Diario de Sevilla](https://www.diariodesevilla.es/) has taken a look at the situation, and what happens next. It’s explained the 25-year-old has found a contentment he lacked at Manchester United, and is playing football as if he were a child in the park.
Goalkeeper Adrián San Miguel is quoted as saying: _“He plays like we kids play in the square, he’s having fun like we did when we were kids, and we’re winning because he’s a top player in the world.”_
Antony has repeatedly spoken of his love for Real Betis, saying the move has been the best decision of his career. However, Diario de Sevilla say this all clashes with reality and how hard it will be to keep him.
The local newspaper makes the situation clear: _‘Betis can barely afford a third of his current salary at United. He would have to demonstrate that love with enormous sacrifices in his salary.’_
Manchester United may have been happy to heavily subsidise Antony’s loan move, but they’re hardly going to do that again when there’s the opportunity to sell him elsewhere and get rid of his salary themselves.
Diario de Sevilla state Antony has been ‘a gift from heaven’ for Real Betis, but they’re warning supporters the reality makes it hard to keep him, unless the Brazilian agrees to a much lower salary.