Manchester United loanee Antony lost the Conference League final to Chelsea on Wednesday night in what could be his last game for Real Betis
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Antony reacts after Real Betis lost the Conference League final
Antony reacts after Real Betis lost the Conference League final
(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United winger Antony has paid tribute to the Real Betis supporters on Thursday after they lost 4-1 to Chelsea in the Conference League final.
Antony joined the Seville club in January after it became clear that the forward did not have a future at Old Trafford. Incredibly, the Brazilian has managed to turn his career around at Real Betis and went into Wednesday night's final as their key man.
Despite leading at the break, Antony's temporary club endured a heartbreaking collapse as Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, fellow United loanee Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo all scored inside 30 minutes to seal a comfortable victory. After the full-time whistle, the Brazilian was consoled by Sancho as tears poured down his face.
The fixture in Poland could have been Antony's last for Real as he returns to United at the culmination of their season. MEN Sport understands the Reds are looking to sell the Brazilian permanently in the summer to raise funds for Ruben Amorim's rebuild and it is unclear whether Real Betis have the funds to keep the former Ajax man.
If this was to be his last appearance for the La Liga club, Antony bowed out with a tribute to the fanbase. "Sadness is getting so close... but the pride I feel now is much bigger," he wrote on Instagram.
"So proud to wear this shirt and build such a beautiful story. We made history and know that to all the fans who have accompanied us at every moment, I say with all the sincerity in the world: You made us stronger!!"
Among those to offer their support to Antony were, at the time of writing, United trio Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee who all liked the post. David de Gea also liked the statement having seen his side Fiorentina lose to Real Betis in the previous round.
United youngster Ethan Wheatley, who spent the last part of this season on loan at League Two Walsall, also liked Antony's post. Now, the future looks unclear for Antony and it shall be a case of him returning to Carrington to see what the future holds.
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