28/05/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | MAY 28, 2025

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S TANDING between Chelsea and the Conference League trophy is Real Betis winger Antony, and that means significantly more than it did five months ago. The Brazilian winger, 25, escaped his Manchester United nightmare in January as he joined the La Liga side on loan, looking to rebuild a career that had stalled miserably at Old Trafford. Antony became the Red Devils’ second most expensive player ever when he joined from Ajax in 2022 for £81 million (RM446m), but flopped badly under his former coach Erik ten Hag. The pressure at United grew to be too much for the winger, whose best form was out of reach.

From zero to hero Antony’s revival boosts Betis’ dream of first European trophy

Wroclaw final and has nine goals and five assists in 25 appearances for the club. “We went through very difficult times to be enjoying this moment today,” said the forward, explaining his tears following the triumph over La Viola. While Manchester United fell short in the Europa League final and miss out on next season’s Champions League, Antony’s revival could see him crowned a European champion and earn a big summer move. – AFP

“Only I know what it was like to be there at home, not having the strength to even play with my son, going days without eating, staying locked in my room,” Antony told TNT Sports Brazil ahead of the final. “I told (my brother) that I couldn’t take it any more.” Antony has explained he emerged from a Brazilian favela, playing without boots and against drug dealers, developing a hard shell, so to suffer so much in Manchester is particularly striking. Once exciting youngster Amad Diallo emerged, Ten Hag’s successor Ruben

“It’s very easy to play with him, he has incredible talent, he makes good decisions,” Isco said of his teammate in February. “I hope we can take that step forward to get into Europe.” With the Spanish playmaker, called into Spain’s Nations League squad for the first time in six years, clicking with the Brazilian, Betis did just that. They booked a place in next season’s Europa League and might have gone one better if not fighting on two fronts. “I had offers but when Betis appeared, I felt a certainty in my heart,” explained Antony, with Pellegrini helping refill his exhausted morale. “He gave me so much confidence.” The veteran coach also helped Antony work on his end product, whereas in England he was often mocked for his penchant for tricks. In return, Antony brought goals, assists and a touch of elite quality that clubs like Betis cannot usually access.

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Amorim was happy for the forward to depart, with Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis happy to take the gamble and try to kickstart a season which was flagging. The fit could not have been better for both player and club, as they helped each other get back to their best. With three goals and an assist in his first four games for Betis across all competitions,

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“It’s not just by chance that Manchester United paid (that much) for him,” noted Pellegrini.

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Antony struck in both legs of the 4-3 semifinal win over Fiorentina to take Betis to the

Antony was rapidly smiling again in the Andalusian sun before adoring fans.

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Real Betis’ Antony. – REUTERSPIC

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Conte celebrates Napoli triumph amid departure talk

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ANTONIO the significance of Napoli’s title win as he celebrated with his team yesterday, steering clear of speculation about his future amid reports the Italian coach is to leave the club. Napoli celebrated alongside thousands of fans in an open-top bus parade following their second Serie A championship in three years, secured on Friday with a home win against Cagliari. The coach remained tight-lipped about questions of his departure and instead praised the city of Naples, where fans gathered to cheer the team. “We work to do something important and give these sensations to ourselves, but above all to the fans. I am truly happy, celebrating the Scudetto at Napoli is truly something extraordinary,” Conte told Rai from the top of the bus in the parade. “It is a city that gives you everything, and wants a lot in return. I think we gave them CONTE highlighted

all we had and they are repaying us today with this extraordinary affection. You really need to experience it to understand what it means. “It is difficult not to create a special bond with this city, it is full of passion and enthusiasm.” Conte also praised title rivals Inter Milan, as Simone Inzaghi’s side prepare to play Paris St Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday. “Honour to those who won but also to Inter, because we beat a great team that had an extraordinary season and on Saturday (Sun 3am Malaysian time) has the chance to win the Champions League. This honours us even more,” Conte added. Napoli’s Serie A top scorer Romelu Lukaku was very clear about where he wants Conte next season. “I will do everything to keep him (Conte) here, I always talk to him, I told him to stay,” Lukaku said. – Reuters

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