‘With you, I started to smile again' – Tearful Antony announces Real Betis exit as £86m flop forced to return to Man Utd
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ANTONY hailed his Real Betis loan spell as "one of the most beautiful chapters of my life" as he prepares for his return to Manchester United.
The Brazil winger scored nine goals and provided five assists in 26 appearances for Betis in his reviving six-month loan move.
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Antony said goodbye to Real Betis with an emotional video
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The winger must return to Man Utd this summer
But Antony and Betis endured a painful last dance, losing 4-1 to Chelsea in the Uefa Conference League final in Poland.
He is set to return to Man Utd, who would not accept a cut-price deal or another loan move.
The 26-year-old was grateful for his time at Betis as he penned an emotional open letter on Instagram.
Antony said in Spanish: "Today is the day to give thanks for one of the most beautiful chapters of my life.
"As I write this page of my story, I need to tell you why you have been —and always will be —so special to me.
"Since I was a child, football wasn't just a dream, it was my only chance to change my life.
"Life took me far, from the favela to the world. I left Brazil, played in the Netherlands, played in England, and went from being a boy to becoming a father.
"A lot has changed, but football has always been there, always my safe harbour. Until one day, everything collapsed.
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"From heaven to hell. The ball stopped going in, the joy faded, my world darkened, and I began to doubt myself, my talent, and my passion for the game.
"That's when football gave me one last gift: Real Betis. From the first step into this club, I felt something different.
'Leaving Man Utd works wonders' - Fans love Antony's wild Real Betis celebrations as he goes topless and waves huge flag
"It was like coming home, like finding a piece of myself that I thought I had lost. With you, I started to smile again.
"Thank you for welcoming me as one of your own. Thank you for giving me back the joy of playing football.
"And thank you for reminding me why I fell in love with the game. My home, my people, thank you so much."
Antony captioned the heartwarming post with: "My world. My people."
The video started with Antony walking around an Villamarin Stadium, soaking his final days with the club who desperately wanted to keep him.
Football gave me one last gift: Real Betis.
Antony
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The goodbye video showed Antony's best moments in a Betis shirt
He was wearing his Betis jersey, with his young kids popping up in the green and white kits too.
It then showed his best match highlights, including his incredible goal against former Man Utd team-mate David de Gea at Fiorentina.
Dramatic Hans Zimmer-like piano music played in the background throughout.
Antony endured a torrid first half of the season in the Premier League, compounding what had been a frustrating two seasons at Old Trafford following his £86million from Ajax in 2022.
While he might not be accepted back into the fold at Old Trafford, Antony attracted interest from Bayer Leverkusen, now managed by former United boss Erik ten Hag.
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