Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that a quest for revenge is the secret behind Antony’s upturn in form, Afrosport reports.
The Brazilian winger has seen a reversal in fortunes since joining Betis on loan from Manchester United in the winter transfer window.
Antony has been involved in 14 goals (nine goals, five assists) in 25 competitive games for the Spanish side, including four goals and three assists in eight UEFA Conference League, where they face Chelsea in the final in Wroclaw on Wednesday.
His tally is just three goals shy of his entire figure with Man United (12 goals, five assists in 96 appearances), where he came under intense scrutiny for his below-par displays.
Speaking ahead of the final, Pellegrini said: “Well, I think that I can be proud, but I think Antony did all the work he could to do it. I spoke with him before he came to Betis.
“He told me that he was not playing because he was not happy, but he had a lot of complaints about what he has done also. He wanted revenge, and here in Betis, I think he had it, and he did it in the way we know he can do, because it’s not easy for you to play as a hundred million for a player.
“And Antony is a very good player. I am absolutely sure that this is a huge time for him here in Betis to help improve his career.”
Today. pic.twitter.com/0a7tssRycs
— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) May 28, 2025
Should Real Betis win the Conference League final, it will be Pellegrini’s first European title since he won the discontinued UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2004 with Villarreal.
