The "Enlightened One" is worthwhile for Betis even without abduction.

Since returning to Betis, Antony has seamlessly picked up where he left off. Is the former €95 million flop from Manchester finally getting his career back on track?

A tattoo that inspired imitators: Betis striker Antony after one of his goals against Mallorca. IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire

It was the kind of summer many would dream of: plenty of free time, weeks spent in hotels, no pressure, no obligations. But for Antony, it was simply a long, tedious wait.

After a six-month loan spell at Real Betis, the Brazilian returned to Manchester, and he did so with plenty of arguments in his favor for a second chance. He scored nine goals and provided five assists in 26 competitive matches for the Andalusian club, and thanks to his goals and assists, Betis reached the Conference League final against Chelsea ( 1-4 ) and qualified for the Europa League by finishing sixth in the table.

But at Manchester United, the two and a half unsuccessful years weighed too heavily. In the summer of 2022, Antony had moved from Ajax Amsterdam to the Red Devils for €95 million, one of the most expensive transfers in football history – and simultaneously one of the biggest flops ever. Antony scored three goals in his first three Premier League games, and just two more after that. In Manchester, the winger was met with nothing but ridicule, and in September 2023 he was even suspended due to allegations of domestic violence .

After returning from Seville, Antony, whose contract ran until 2027, found himself in a training group alongside other notable unwanted players like Marcus Rashford , Jadon Sancho , Alejandro Garnacho , and Tyrell Malacia. They were only allowed on the pitch once their teammates had finished their exercises . He didn't even bother to find permanent accommodation, instead staying in a hotel.

No one wanted Antony in Manchester anymore, and everyone at Betis wanted him back. Playmaker Isco – yet another player who rediscovered his form in Seville – proposed a crowdfunding campaign back in March to keep Antony for at least another year. Betis club legend and joker Joaquin said two months later he would provide his car to kidnap Antony from Manchester .

Ultimately, Antony did return to Betis through legal means. For 22 million euros plus three million in bonuses, a staggering sum for the Green-Whites. But it seems to be paying off.

Mallorca done in 37 minutes

It didn't matter that the deal only came together on deadline day, causing Antony to miss three Betis league games. Since then, the 25-year-old has contributed five goals and two assists in nine appearances. Last Sunday, he practically single-handedly dispatched RCD Mallorca in the first 37 minutes : after two pinpoint long-range shots from outside the box, he also provided a perfect assist for Abde's goal to make it 3-0, and almost added another in the second half. "Whoever has Antony has a treasure," Marca wrote enthusiastically.

In less than a year, Antony has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists for Betis – first-class figures for a winger. "I'm happy, I'm home," he said after signing permanently. It's a feeling he probably hadn't experienced since his time at Ajax, when he scored 24 goals and provided 22 assists in 82 appearances for the Dutch club.

Lightness and confidence are back, but his style remains the same. Against Mallorca, both goals were scored in typical Antony fashion, with him cutting inside from the right and finishing accurately with his strong left foot. This is a constant in his play, something that had been criticized as uncreative at Manchester United. However, it works to Antony's advantage that he generally enjoys more freedom under coach Manuel Pellegrini than he did during his time at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, whom he followed from Ajax to Manchester in 2022.

And even though Betis dug deep into their pockets for Antony, the Brazilian, who comes from humble beginnings, no longer needs to justify his €95 million investment on the pitch. The tense atmosphere of his time in Manchester has given way to a relaxed demeanor in Seville. "He's always unpredictable and wants to contribute," said Pellegrini after Sunday's impressive performance. His subsequent words sounded almost like a threat to the competition. "He hasn't trained for four or five months and will soon be back to his best."

Then the World Cup is within reach for the 16-time Brazilian international, and the Champions League is potentially a possibility for Betis; after eleven matchdays, the fifth-placed team is at least in a promising position. However, Olympique Lyon awaits the Andalusians in the Europa League on Thursday.

Will Antony then have another opportunity to point to his neck tattoo? It bears the word "Iluminado," which translates to "enlightened." "Because of my background and my experiences, I feel enlightened, which is why I have this tattoo, which has great meaning for me," he once explained with his usual self-assurance.

It's no longer a unique case. These days, you often see fans in the Betis section with the "Iluminado" tattoo on their necks.