HE WROTE a e book, turned a dad and made his debut for Brazil’s Beneath-23s — all on the grand outdated age of 19.
So Manchester United shouldn’t be too anxious about whether or not winger Antony — their new arrival from Ajax — is mature sufficient to deal with being the third most costly signing within the membership’s historical past.
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But £84million remains to be a hell of rather a lot for a participant who has made a large identify for himself however outdoors one in every of Europe’s so-called prime 5 leagues. It’s nonetheless a danger.
Set to characteristic in Dutch soccer’s biggest-ever switch, Antony, 22, has nonetheless repeatedly taken every part in his stride, so perhaps the most recent chapter of his profession will likely be no totally different.
After transferring from South America to Ajax in 2020, with each Manchester Metropolis and Everton failing with bids, Antony took his recreation to a brand new stage and now follows supervisor Erik ten Hag and defender Lisandro Martinez from Amsterdam to Manchester.
For Ajax, that is but extra sensible enterprise. Their gross sales have rocketed to £193m this summer time — together with Martinez’s £48.3m change to United — whereas their expenditure has been £91m.
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Antony has proved to be successful in Holland despite the fact that membership legend Marco van Basten slammed his file transfer from Sao Paulo, which was value £13m however may find yourself nearer £18m.
Van Basten, who has now most likely modified his tune, stated: “At Ajax, they’ve a really huge mouth.
“Our youth schooling is so nice. After which you’ll purchase a youth participant for a mega quantity. One thing is flawed then.
“Should you hit your self so terribly within the chest that the youth schooling is so nice, then after all it’s ridiculous that you’re going to purchase a youth participant from Brazil for 25 million euros.”
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Born Antony Matheus Dos Santos, he joined the academy of native membership Sao Paulo, aged ten.
He helped them win the J League World Problem in Japan and was named greatest participant, resulting in his first skilled contract, aged 18, in 2018.
Simply 12 months later Antony turned a father to son Lorenzo and made his debut for Brazil U-23s, taking part in alongside Bruno Guimaraes, now at Newcastle.
Antony then penned From Overcoming A Actual Dream, a diary in regards to the pressures of being a rising star in Brazil.
He detailed his points within the Sao Paulo youth set-up and revealed he was near being launched thrice.
Following his debut for Sao Paulo, Tottenham’s Lucas Moura congratulated the teenager and advised him to “work laborious” and hold taking part in matches.
Antony has since developed an in depth friendship with Moura.
He’s simply 5ft 9in tall, performs on the precise facet of midfield or assault and is famend for chopping in on his left foot.
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Regardless of curiosity from the Premier League, Antony moved to Ajax in 2020, incomes about £12,000-a-week.
On arrival, his new Brazilian team-mates launched a rap in his honour.
David Neres and Danilo recorded a monitor referred to as Bem-vindo Antony (Welcome Antony), written by Sarita Lorena, a Brazilian who had been residing in Holland for a few years.
Antony, a religious Catholic with a love of jet-skiing, turned a revelation on the Johan Cruyff Enviornment, profitable two Eredivisie titles underneath Ten Hag.
He continued his high quality type at the beginning of the season, scoring as soon as and including two assists within the first two Eredivisie video games earlier than he was unnoticed for the conflict with Sparta Rotterdam.
Though nonetheless a newcomer on the worldwide stage, Antony will hope to star on the World Cup in Qatar.
He made his senior Brazilian debut towards Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier ten months in the past and has now appeared 9 occasions.
However over the previous few months, Antony has fallen out with Ajax.
He stated: “In February of this yr, my brokers got here to Amsterdam to tell Ajax of my need to depart the membership.
“In June, I interrupted my trip and got here personally to tell the managers of Ajax, together with the brand new coach, about my want to depart and that they need to take into account this chance.”
And on Friday, he stated: “In a gathering with the membership, I expressed my outdated curiosity in leaving, solely this time with a substantial provide on the desk.
“Ajax refused, with an argument that they solely have 5 days to interchange me.”
Like most issues in his brief profession, although, Antony is getting precisely what he desires.
