Antony bursts into tears as he talks about dark days at Man Utd

For most footballers, winning a European trophy is the crowning moment of a season or even a career. For Antony, Real Betis' 2–1 victory over Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League final on May 28 was much more than that.

It was a powerful, deeply personal triumph over adversity, anxiety, and emotional darkness. It marked not just a professional resurgence, but a spiritual and psychological rebirth after the most trying period of his young career.

The Brazilian winger arrived at Manchester United from Ajax in 2022 for a staggering fee of around €100 million, a transfer that placed enormous expectations on his shoulders. His flair, pace, and technical skill had dazzled in the Eredivisie, and United fans hoped he would inject creativity and dynamism into the team’s attack. But from early on, things did not go to plan.

Antony struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s pace and physicality. His performances were often inconsistent, and criticism from fans and pundits alike grew louder with each passing match. To make matters worse, the winger also found himself embroiled in a police investigation relating to his personal life a situation that dragged his name into the media for all the wrong reasons and added immense emotional strain.

Behind closed doors, things were even more fragile than they appeared. During a candid and emotional interview with TNT Sports Brazil, Antony revealed just how dark those days were. "It made me emotional even back then," he said, fighting back tears. "Those were truly difficult days. Only I know what it was like to be sitting at home. I didn’t even have the strength to play with my son. I went days without eating and stayed locked in my room."

Antony admitted that he reached a point where he questioned whether he could even continue as a footballer. “I no longer felt the desire to play football. I didn’t feel joy anymore,” he said. “I even told my brother that I couldn’t handle it anymore.”

His words shed light on the often-unseen mental health challenges athletes face particularly those under the spotlight at the highest level of the game. While criticism from the stands is often focused on form and output, few consider the human being behind the shirt especially when personal issues compound the professional pressure.

It was in this fragile state that Real Betis offered him a way out a loan move away from the storm in Manchester and into the calmer, more welcoming environment of Seville. The move would prove to be transformative.

At Betis, Antony was given the space and support to reset. With the weight of expectations lifted, he began to find himself again both as a player and as a person. He adapted quickly to La Liga’s style of play and formed strong connections with teammates and coaches. Gradually, the spark returned. His performances improved week after week, and by the time Betis reached the business end of the Conference League, Antony had become one of their key players.

“Thank God, with the help of my family and especially with God’s help, I managed to move forward and now I’m very happy to be here,” he said, visibly moved. “This club believed in me when I had stopped believing in myself.”

In the final against Chelsea, Antony’s influence was felt throughout the match not just in his dribbling and offensive movement, but in his work rate, maturity, and commitment. His transformation was evident to anyone watching. From a broken figure at Old Trafford to a man reborn in the colours of Betis, Antony’s redemption arc was complete as he lifted the trophy with his teammates under the lights of Athens.

The Conference League title wasn’t just a team achievement; it was a symbol of everything Antony had overcome. Depression, scrutiny, isolation all silenced by a single night of celebration. But perhaps more importantly, the final marked the moment he fully reconnected with the joy of football something he had feared was lost forever.

Now, with the season concluded, Antony is set to return to Manchester United, where his contract runs until the summer of 2027. What awaits him there remains uncertain. United have endured a turbulent season themselves, and managerial changes or squad overhauls could affect his role. But if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that Antony returns as a changed man stronger, more grounded, and more determined than ever.

Whether his long-term future lies at Old Trafford or elsewhere, his time in Seville will remain a turning point. It wasn’t just about football it was about survival, growth, and finding the strength to rise again.