How a €95 million abandoned by Manchester United becomes one of the best players in La Liga

Transfers during the winter loan period rarely bring such significant results for players and clubs at the same time as Anthony's transfer from Manchester United to Real Betis.

The Brazilian player's most important contribution to Betis so far came in their UEFA European Cup semi-finals with Fiorentina, when the 25-year-old performed well in two matches.

In the first game at the Villamarin Stadium in Betis, Anthony volleyed and scored the ball into the top corner, giving the team a 2-1 advantage in their game to Italy. In the second leg, he scored a 25-yard free kick and the ball hit the far post and bounced into the net. After Fiorentina scored two goals to tie the score, Anthony gave his teammate Abd Ezarzuli a selfless assist, allowing the Sevilla La Liga team to advance to their first European final. After the final whistle, Anthony burst into tears, rejected the hugs of his teammates, and was immersed in the cheers of Betis with the fans.

"It was a tears of joy, but it was also a sign of relief," Anthony said in an interview with TV stations at the stadium. "I've had very difficult moments in my life. Only my family and I know what we've been through. I've cried a lot - with my mother, wife, sister. Now I'm experiencing this dream, this incredible moment. I'm very happy."

Anthony scored nine goals and sent five assists in 25 games against Chelsea in Wroclaw, Poland on Wednesday. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the Spanish league in the second half of the season.

This is in stark contrast to what happened six months ago, when United no longer needed him and his entire career seemed to be struggling with attacks from a former partner alleged, which Greater Manchester police are still investigating.

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Anthony, who transferred from Ajax for £84.1 million in August 2022, actually started his career at Manchester United. His first season at Old Trafford included goals against Arsenal, Manchester City and Barcelona, ​​and he also represented Brazil in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In September 2023, Manchester United issued a statement saying that they had agreed to "delay Anthony's return from the Brazilian national team" after police investigated the assault allegations against him by his former partner Gabriela Cavalin. Anthony denied the allegations, as well as similar charges made by two other women in the Brazilian media (Resa de Fretas and Ingrid Lana).

After leaving the team, Anthony returned to the United squad, but he never returned to his regular position in the starting lineup. In the first half of the 2024-2025 season, he only started three times and made 14 appearances in total. Current head coach Ruben Amorin gave him 287 minutes of playing time in nine games, during which Anthony scored no goals or assists. The case in Brazil was closed in August 2024, but Greater Manchester police investigations into the alleged incident in the UK are still underway until Betis takes action in early 2025. An anonymous source from Betis said the club knew about the situation before completing the loan deal, and they knew that the case in Brazil was closed and Manchester United had brought the player back to the first team. He said Betis had clear policies on any form of abuse, including violence against women, but the club also accepted the presumption of innocence until he was found guilty.

As early as August 2023, Spanish police investigated allegations against Betis midfielder William Carvalho, which involved an incident at the Seville Hotel. A judge dismissed the case in May 2024. And earlier, Betis forward Ruben Castro was charged in February 2015 for suspected domestic abuse and was later found not guilty in June 2017. Both players continued to play for Betis during the legal process, and neither La Liga nor Spanish Football Association took any action.

Anthony arrived in the capital of Andalusia in January 2025, few police investigations were mentioned. Local media focused on his difficult upbringing in the "little hell" of the slums of St. Paul and the poverty and violence he experienced personally as a child. Compared to the media and opposition fans' scrutiny when Mason Greenwood was loaned to Getafe last season, this time it received little attention.

Anthony himself was obviously happy to be able to join Betis, especially the warm welcome he received.

"My heart was already here when I had the opportunity to come to Betis," Anthony said on Betis TV shortly after his arrival. "I love the club, the city and everything. Sunshine, the people and the food: It all reminds me of Brazil. The most important thing is that I found myself. I don't have many opportunities to play at Manchester United. I need inner happiness."

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When Anthony arrived at Betis, the team was in trouble, winning only one of nine La Liga games and losing 1-5 to Barcelona in the Copa RE. His first game was a 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao on February 2, and his first goal was in a 2-3 loss to Celta Vigo on February 8.

But Manuel Pellegrini's team began to regain form, former Real Madrid star Isco returned to health, and Anthony also integrated into the team.

The Brazilian player opened the record with a brilliant volley against Real Sociedad in mid-February, then flashed two players to assist Isco in the match against Getafe. But then he was sent off for a foul on Getafe player Juan Iglesias in stoppage time, when Betis led 2-1