Manchester United loanee Antony has been given the green light to play for Real Betis against Real Madrid after winning an appeal against his recent sending off.
Antony has enjoyed an excellent start to his loan spell in Spain, but was guilty of a moment of madness in the dying moments of Betis’ 2-1 victory over Getafe in La Liga at the weekend.
After losing possession in an innocuous position the touchline, Antony raced after Juan Iglesias and wildly lunged at the Getafe defender from behind, some time after the ball had been played.
Referee Javier Alberola Rojas wasted little time in brandishing a red card and the Brazil international even gave the official a thumbs up after being given his marching orders, seemingly accepting of his fate.
But Betis lodged a successful appeal against the decision and Antony’s one-match suspension has been wiped, meaning the forward is available to face Madrid on Saturday.
Boasting two goals and two assists from his first four league appearances, Antony will no doubt be desperate to continue his barnstorming start with Betis on the biggest stage against the champions.
Betis’ social media team captured the moment Antony learned that the suspension had been lifted during a training session at the club’s Estadio Benito Villamarin – and the joy and relief was written all over his face.
Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini helped deliver the news to Antony and several of the attacker’s new team-mates and coaches were seen passing on their congratulations.
It’s clear Antony is enjoying his football again in Spain having fallen some way short of expectations across his opening two-and-a-half years with Manchester United.
In that time, the Brazilian – who United bought for a fee of £82million – has managed just five goals in the Premier League, with Gary Neville recently naming him as one of the club’s worst signings in history.
‘The most important thing is that I have found myself again,’ Antony said ahead of Betis’ win at Getafe.
‘I am happy to be enjoying myself every day. Things go well when we are well, happy, content… In four games I have scored three goals and gave an assist. I expected it and I didn’t expect it.
‘I have worked mentally and physically to get to this moment. I am very happy about that.
‘When I was in England I continued working mentally and physically I was also feeling well. I was preparing for this moment. Now, I am very happy to be enjoying and living an incredible moment.’
‘I wasn’t playing much, but I’ve been working hard. I needed to be happy with myself. The best version of being happy with myself is the most important thing. I played very little in Manchester, but I’m grateful to them and also to the coach, who spoke to me.
‘I have a lot of friends who played here and they left me very calm so that I could sign here. I was sure in my heart that coming here was the best decision for me. I hope to continue like this.
‘I’ve had a great time in Manchester too, I won two titles and I’m very grateful. But when I say that I’ve found myself here, I’m happy, the people are like us in Brazil.
‘The sun helps a lot. I’m very happy here. I wake up every day with a smile and that’s very important.’
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