From playing in the favela, to being a Manchester United player

Manchester United spent the whole month of August trying to sign Antony from Ajax, as he was the dream signing for the new manager Erik ten Hag, who was also coming from the Eredivisie champions. The Dutchman wanted to have the player that helped him get the title last season and did everything in his power to get him.

After weeks of negotiations and Ajax refusing to sell him, Antony decided to go on strike and refused to train with the team for two weeks. For that reason, the Amsterdam side didn’t have another choice but to sell him, but they only wanted a certain price. The English giants eventually paid €95 million fixed with €5m in add-ons.

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Yesterday Antony made his debut with the Red Devils against Arsenal at Old Trafford just three days after signing with the club. With all the pressure on his shoulders, Erik ten Hag decided to put him in the starting XI. He went on and scored in his first game as a Manchester United player in a dream debut.

The 22-year-old winger explained before the game that he knows how to handle the pressure because of his experience in the favela back when he was a poor kid in Brazil. Football was his way of distraction and eventually what helped him and his family get out of poverty. He even has a tattoo on his arm with him as a boy with a ball on his feet with a favela as a background.

Hard work pays off

Antony knows that hard work and dedication can get you out of all problems and that is why he can handle the pressure of being Manchester United’s second most expensive signing in history. He will outwork everyone in order to be successful with the Red Devils and has started with a bang after scoring on his debut. Hopefully, he can maintain momentum.