‘Considered Retirement’: Antony sheds light on his lowest moment at Man Utd

Antony has revealed he considered retiring during his lowest moment at Manchester United but says he is now smiling and happy at Real Betis.

The 25-year-old Brazilian winger, who signed for United from Ajax for £85m in September 2022, joined the LaLiga side on loan in January after struggling at Old Trafford.

Antony scored just 12 times in 96 appearances for Manchester United, playing only 14 times this season under Erik ten Hag and then Ruben Amorim.

Speaking ahead of Betis’ Conference League final against Chelsea, the winger teared up when speaking about the effect his “off-field issues” impacted his form at United.

“I always say that I had good moments but I had very difficult moments too. Not only on the field but off it,” he told TNT Sports Brazil. “People who ended up disturbing me a lot mentally.

“I went through some very difficult times there that ended up affecting me a lot. But I am very grateful even for these difficult moments that I went through. Today, I feel much more mature, much more prepared, I feel much better.

“It was a moment when I thought about stopping playing. I no longer felt that desire to play football because of everything I was going through, because of all the accusations and because I had remained silent for so long.

Antony is enjoying his loan spell at Real Betis. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“[My career] has changed a lot [at Betis]. It changed a lot because I needed to find myself, for everything I went through there in my personal life. I wanted to do things, but it seemed like it wasn’t happening because I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t feeling that desire to play football anymore, and I needed to find myself.

“Playing football was always something that I loved and I went through difficult times when I didn’t feel that pleasure anymore.

“I would always talk to my brother, I used to say, ‘I can’t do it anymore, I can’t do it anymore’. He said: ‘Hold on a little longer and things will change’.

“I even get emotional because it was very difficult for me. Only I know what it was like inside the house, not even having the strength to even play with my son, having days without eating, staying in my room.

“It was very complicated but with the help of my family with the help of God, I managed to turn things around. I’m already very happy here.”

Antony has scored nine goals and produced five assists in 25 appearances for Betis, becoming one of the standout players in Spain during the second half of the season.

They have lost just four times since he arrived, helping them to finish sixth in LaLiga and reach the Conference League final as they bid for their first-ever European trophy.

Moving on, Antony admitted he has some regrets about his time at Manchester United and said he doesn’t know what the future will hold.

“I have the feeling that I could have done more with the United jersey but I’m also very grateful for everyone’s affection that I had there,” he said. “I even have a lot of contact there.

“It was a difficult moment that I went through, and today I’m smiling here and I’m happy.

“I always say that I’m doing my part. I’m playing football, I’m happy and I’m doing well. I don’t know about the future.

“I’ll keep doing my part so that when the transfer window opens, my agents are working on it. But now my focus is on doing well and we’ll see what happens in the future.”