Manchester United winger Antony has admitted he just wants to be "happy" playing football again.
Antony completed a move to Real Betis on loan until the remainder of the season last month and sources have said the Spanish club are covering a minimum 84 per cent of his salary.
Betis have also agreed to cover any potential bonuses that are achieved in Antony's contract and the winger will be hopeful of getting back to his best under manager Manuel Pellegrini.
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Antony contributed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances and has scored only once in the Premier League since April 2023. The Brazilian's time in Manchester didn't go as planned, although he now has an opportunity to breathe life into his career at Spanish club Betis.
The 24-year-old won the man of the match award when he made his debut for Betis last weekend and was officially introduced to the Spanish media at a press conference on Wednesday.
During that unveiling, Antony revealed he received other proposals to leave United, he discussed his long-term future and admitted he simply wanted to smile on a football pitch again.
“I had other offers, but when Betis appeared I felt a certainty in my heart that made me stay calm. I am happy here and I want to achieve many goals," Antony said, via outlet AS.
“I am happy here for everyone, for the manager and the players. I feel calm and confident. I want to find my best version and the first step is to be happy. Everything here is incredible, my family and I are happy. Now it is time to work to be in my best version and help the club.”
Antony was asked whether he could join Betis permanently and said: "I went through difficult times. If I have to stay longer, I would have to talk to the president and everything. And for now I want to play and score goals and give assists. I have to help the team, later we can talk about that.”
He continued: “It is very important to be happy because that is how things flow. I love everything here, the people and the city. “I'm going to give my all at Betis, not just in the match but in training.
"I'll always do that. I'm going to give it 100%. The conversation I had with him [Pellegrini] was very good. He made me feel calm, he has a lot of experience and is a great coach.
"Betis has to always fight at the top because it is a great club, also for the [Europa] Conference League. And my Idols? I always liked Messi, also Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom I worked.”
Antony featured in just 13 of United's matches in all competitions this season before leaving on loan.
He was signed in an £86million deal from Ajax in the summer of 2022.
