Choice against Bayern and for Real Betis
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Antony has spoken again about his almost transfer to FC Bayern last summer. The 25-year-old offensive player had already had his say at Real Betis Sevilla before the advances from Munich almost made him change his mind. “That left me quite unsettled. We’re talking about a global giant here, FC Bayern Munich, where a coach with the history he has – Kompany – calls me,” Antony revealed on “ge.globo.com“.
However, the decision against it was not an economic one, but rather an emotional one, emphasized the 16-time Brazil international the day after the transfer from Manchester United to Real Betis, where he had returned to his old form on loan in the second half of the previous season. The Brazilian now said about the conversation with Vincent Kompany: “He was super polite to me, said that he had always really liked my football, and that at eleven o’clock in the evening, just after eleven.”
Antony said: “And, whether you like it or not, that gave me a lot of trouble. Because of the size of the club, because of the size of the coach and because of the way he approached me, the way he spoke to me. But what had a lot of weight was also the decision within the family. It’s the way I look at my children.” They would love the city of Seville.
The German record champions tried it at the last minute. “Exactly, the transfer window closed the next day at seven or eight in the evening, if I’m not mistaken, or it was midnight. On the last day itself, when things developed here with Betis, the call came from FC Bayern Munich,” Antony revealed.
According to Spanish media reports, the attacker on Säbener Strasse could have earned more than twice as much; there is talk of an annual salary of 7 million euros. In addition, Bayern made a transfer offer of 30 million euros in Manchester, significantly more than the sum for which Sevilla was awarded on deadline day. But the positive emotions tied Antony to Real Betis. “Of course, this is a place where I’m very happy, where I get a lot of love from everyone who welcomed me. The decision was also made by me because I’m doing well, I’m happy and I know what my everyday life is like here. And also because everything was already settled with the club because I had given my word. Everything had already been agreed verbally and I couldn’t do that to myself or the club.”
Dream of the 2026 World Cup: Antony aims to return to the Seleção
Antony moved from the Red Devils to the Andalusians for a fee of 22 million plus 3 million euros in bonuses. As part of the deal, the English secured a resale share of 50 percent. The left-footed player contributed six goals and two assists in eleven games this season. After a 5 million loss in October, its market value is now 30 million euros. He last played for the Brazilian national team in March 2023. Antony would like to follow up his 16 appearances with more in the near future.
“Although I’ve already played one World Cup, it’s a dream for me to play another one. Of course I’m full of anticipation here, I dream of this moment, because wearing the national team jersey and representing the whole country is very fulfilling. I know how many people are rooting for me,” emphasized the right winger. “Everything that is within my reach, whatever is in my control, I will do. I will always be 100 percent ready, do my job, to wear the national team jersey again.”
Antony moved from Ajax to Manchester in the summer of 2022 for 95 million euros. However, it did not live up to expectations on the island; its market value fell from 75 million to 20 million euros within two and a half years. It wasn’t until he was on loan at Real Betis in the second half of last season that things picked up again. Antony contributed nine goals and four assists in 28 games and qualified for the Europa League with the club. Man United, on the other hand, missed out on participating in international business.