Antony described his Brazil call-up as “one of the most emotional moments” after “hitting rock bottom” at Manchester United.
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Antony “emotional” at his Brazil call-up
The winger hasn’t featured for the national team since 2023.
However, he earned a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers after an impressive second half of the campaign on loan at Real Betis from United.
“It was one of the most emotional moments,” Antony told Brazil’s Football Confederation. “I mentioned to some friends here in the national team that this call-up was more exciting than the first time I came here [October 2021], and it was even more emotional because of everything I’ve been through.
“Being in good shape, hitting rock bottom, and having the resilience that I had, with the help of God and my family, was very important.”
Stronger campaign
Antony has scored just 12 goals in 96 appearances for Manchester United since his £85 million ($114.6m) move from Ajax in 2022.
However, during his loan spell at Real Betis, he found better form, netting nine goals in 26 games and helping the club reach its first-ever European final.
His last appearance for Betis came in a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Conference League final.
Internationally, Antony has scored two goals in 16 appearances for Brazil.
“Even though I had no hope during the difficult time I was going through, at the same time I remembered many things I had experienced,” Antony said.
“I stopped to think and said to myself: ‘I haven’t forgotten how to play soccer, I didn’t play in a World Cup for nothing, I didn’t make it to the national team for nothing.’ Everything happens for a reason, and this process was very necessary for my life because it made me stronger.”
