On Monday, Real Betis winger Antony was invited to appear on the Camel Live interview. The Brazilian attacker shared his arduous growth journey, the reasons for choosing to join Betis, and his firm support for head coach Manuel Pellegrini during the interview.
On his role at Betis since joining
“There are so many outstanding players in the team. I’ve talked to Denilson and I know the history he wrote here, but I’m more eager to blaze my own path.”
On head coach Manuel Pellegrini
“He’s a truly top-tier coach. We all know his brilliant resume, and he’s even more impressive in daily work. It’s an honor for me to work with a coach of such noble character—he cares deeply not just about me, but all the players. Contract renewal ultimately depends on negotiations between the club and the coach, but personally, I’ve always looked forward to continuing to fight alongside him. I wish everything goes well.”
Looking ahead to the team’s new season
“I firmly believe this will be a promising season. When I made my debut here, I said we must fight for all championships. The team has a strong enough squad to compete. Our experience reaching the Europa Conference League final last season truly shows Betis’ ever-improving competitive level, and that’s vital for us.”
On the unity in the dressing room
“The team atmosphere here is better than I could have imagined—it’s the best I’ve had in my career. Everyone is closely united, every face is filled with smiles, and we bring positive changes through positive communication. We all love gathering together, and this cohesion is also very important.”
On valuing happiness over money
“I’ve always put happiness first. My family and I have found true happiness in this city. Seville is not just an incredible city; the people here—not just the fans, but all residents—are full of enthusiasm. My experience has proven that when your heart is full of happiness, everything falls into place. Money is important, but happiness is irreplaceable.”
“I’m very grateful to the fans and Betis for their care. That means a lot to me. I didn’t come here for money; I have a lot of affection, a lot of affection for this club. It has always been my first choice, which is why I waited until the final days of the transfer window to complete the move. Now that I’m here, I’m very happy—in a city I love, with people, the club, and the fans I adore. I really want to take the field and represent all of them.”
On the twists and turns of this summer’s transfer
“Those more than 40 days in England were extremely tough—I stayed alone in a hotel and stuck to individual training… At certain moments, I felt disrespected, but there’s no need to dwell on the past. I don’t want to stir up controversy; these are all part of life’s lessons. I’m still grateful to my former club Manchester United. I had disappointing moments there, but also wonderful memories of winning the double. Actually, four or five days before the transfer was finalized, my family had already arrived in Seville, and I had even taken care of renting a house. After a deep talk with my family, the voice in my heart clearly told me I should return to Betis.”
On his goals at Betis
“I dream of lifting a championship trophy for the team. There are still many games to play, but I hope we can realize this dream soon—Betis fans fully deserve that.”
"Beyond that, this is a very important year for both me and Betis. The World Cup is next year, and I hope to return to the national team as a Betis player. A better Antony? Of course. I always have high standards for myself because I know I can do more. I will strive to be better than last season—that’s the kind of player I am. This is a crucial year, but we have to take it easy and go step by step. For now, I’m back to team training and preparing well for the new season."
