His name may be Antony, but he is rapidly becoming known as “Antonio of Triana”.
Triana is an emblematic neighbourhood with strong ties to Real Betis in the Spanish city of Seville. Antonio Triana, meanwhile, was a dancer born in the city in 1906 who became part of the region’s cultural heritage. How perfectly fitting, then, for Brazilian live wire Antony – whose rhythm and improvisation on the pitch resemble the traits of a samba dancer – to have adopted the moniker “Antonio of Triana”, not least because his compatriots regard dribbling as an art form.
Nevertheless, the art of football has not always put a smile on Antony’s face. From his spellbinding performances at Sao Paulo and Ajax to the whirlwind of expectations at Manchester United, not to mention his displays for Brazil at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, his journey has danced between brilliance and shadow, including times when the joy of playing seemed to have completely eluded him.
At Betis, he has rediscovered a sense of calm and confidence, earning the adulation of the fans and the motivation to dream ever bigger. “The ‘new Antony’ is someone who has learned from hardships, who respects the process and has found joy in playing again,” said the wing wizard in an exclusive interview with FIFA.
“Today I can proudly say that I’m living my best life, in a place where I’ve chosen to settle with my wife and children, in a city that has welcomed us with open arms and helped me find peace. The tranquillity I’ve found off the pitch has had a positive impact on my performances on it: I feel more mature, aware of my responsibilities and happy about every training session and match.”
This new version of Antony is the product of a journey of self-discovery. After a frustrating spell in England, he sealed a loan switch to Betis, quickly fell in love with the club and did everything he could to make the move permanent, eventually signing a contract until 2030 – a beautiful story of connection and identity that is sometimes hard to come by in modern football.
“I knew what I was capable of and how hard I’d pushed myself to get this far. I went through some turbulent times, but playing at the World Cup [in 2022] was proof that it had all been worthwhile,” he said. “When I came back to Betis, it wasn’t just to prove myself to the world, but to rediscover the best version of myself. And that’s exactly what happened. I regained my confidence, my love for the game and built a connection with the fans.”
Despite Seville being over 8,000 kilometres away from Osasco, where he was born, his return to Betis felt like a homecoming of sorts. The community welcomed him with open arms, and he reciprocated by immersing himself in the local culture. The affectionately assigned nickname “Antonio” caught on, and even his signature “Antony spin” that had gone viral on social media gained popularity again.
“From the moment I arrived, I felt a genuine connection with the club and the city,” he revealed. “Everything went seamlessly. I immersed myself in Seville’s culture, traditions and daily life. That commitment [to the community] meant I was welcomed with open arms, and the faith shown in me by the club and the fans was key to getting my career back on track. Now I feel that the connection is part of who I am.”
In the midst of his resurgence, he still suffered restless nights. The pressure of a career at the top of the game, being in the spotlight and receiving criticism weighed heavily on his shoulders, even if he continued to look fierce out on the pitch. Antony serves as a daily reminder that players are not invincible machines, and that only the unburdened can truly take off.
“They were very difficult times, which left me questioning so many things,” he confessed. “But God was always by my side, and my family and friends were there to support me. Nothing has ever been handed to me on a plate, but I’ve always found strength in the people who walk alongside me. Giving up was never an option – the only option was to keep fighting until I rediscovered my purpose.”
Another influential figure in his latest chapter was Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean tactician, known for his calm demeanour and propensity for attacking football, provided Antony with more than just the tools to exploit the space on the pitch; he also listened to him and nurtured his confidence.
“That was crucial,” said Antony. “From the outset, he supported me, reassured me and listened to me. He’s a seasoned coach who understands how to treat his players like human beings. Our daily conversations helped me find my feet and believe in my own potential again.”
Feeling settled, brimming with confidence and backed by the Betis faithful, Antony is dreaming big again and hoping to make the Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup 26™.
“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. My recent call-up meant a lot to me, but I know I can do even better. I want to work hard day in, day out to make sure I’m on hand to help Brazil,” said the winger.
In light of everything he has been through, featuring at next year’s FIFA World Cup™ would likely carry even greater significance than having played in the 2022 edition – a special time in itself since it was his debut at the global showpiece tournament.
“Every World Cup is special in its own right, but competing at the 2026 edition would mean a huge amount to me,” he stressed. “In 2022, I realised my childhood dream. The first time is always special. Competing in 2026 would be a testament to my strength, belief and persistence in the face of everything I’ve been through.”
Might Antony’s revival story find its perfect crescendo and culminate in a historic World Cup showing – perhaps even capped by a goal to help steer Brazil to a sixth World Cup title?
“That would be the pinnacle of my career, without a doubt,” he said. “It’s what every player dreams about. To be part of Brazil’s sixth World Cup triumph would be as good as it gets, something that would be forever etched into not only my own story, but Brazilian football folklore. It’s a dream that motivates me to work harder every day.”
