From "billion yuan parallel goods" to "green and white savior": the triple password behind Anthony s Nirvana s rebirth

"The God of the Round" burst into tears in Florence, and a genius of 100 million euros used world waves to smash all doubts!

On May 9, 2025, in the second leg of the European Union semi-finals, when Anthony's free kick drew a perfect arc and hung a dead corner, the entire football world held its breath. The Brazilian winger, who was once ridiculed as a "circle master" and "the most expensive joke in the Premier League", knelt down and covered his face and cried - at this moment, he is no longer a "cancer" of Manchester United, but a hero of Real Betis. After joining for only 3 months, he contributed 8 goals and 5 assists, and directly participated in the number of goals that surpassed the peak of Manchester United's career, and sent the team to the European final with two world waves. Why can a abandoned player who is struggling in the Premier League be reborn in La Liga? The answer is far from being as simple as "Low La Liga intensity".

Tactical adaptation - from "system abandoned son" to "offensive core"

"At Manchester United, I was a lonely circle swinger; at Betis, I was a free artist." Anthony during the Manchester United era, the tactical positioning was a disaster. The coach regarded it as a wing-breathing point, but the Premier League's high-intensity pressing and Manchester United's low midfield possession rate (only 48.7% per game, 10th in the Premier League), forced him to frequently fall into isolation. The data is cold: the average success rate of overtaken by less than 30%, the touching area is mostly concentrated on the sideline, and the inward cutting shot has become an "ineffective circle".

In contrast, Betis, Pellegrini's system tailored the living space for him. Under the La Liga technical stream style, Betis ranks in the top three with a ball possession rate of 61.2%. Isco and Guido Rodriguez's midfield control ability create a large number of one-on-one opportunities for Anthony. In his debut against Getafe, he made 7 passes and 4 successes; in the second game, Athletic Bilbao, scored inward and reappeared in Ajax's style. Pei Shuai said frankly: "We need his single-point blast to tear open the defense line, rather than letting him take on the defensive tasks."

Psychological Redemption - "Public Opinion Pressure Cooker"

"In Manchester, I live under a microscope; in Seville, I wake up with a smile every day."

100 million euros transfer fee is like a double-edged sword. After joining Manchester United, every move of Anthony was infinitely magnified: the "circle video" on social media exceeded 20 million views, the "compass" memes of the fan forum went viral, and even the domestic violence accusations and conflicts with the locker room pushed him into the abyss of public opinion. Confidence in shooting fell to the bottom, with a positive shot rate of only 28%. The data of 0 goals and 0 assists in 19 games made him a laughing stock.

Betis became his safe haven. After the first assist, home fans shouted, "Anthony, stay!"; the club CEO publicly expressed his hope to renew his loan for one year; Brazilian compatriot Natan praised even more: "Only great players can participate in the World Cup, and he did it." Psychological experts analyzed that after breaking away from the cycle of negative public opinion, the players' decision-making ability naturally rebounded. Anthony admitted: "The tolerance of the sun and the fans have made me regain my sense of belonging like a Brazilian."

Future suspense - Can rebirth last?

"The La Liga defender has begun to study his incision. Can he evolve again?"

Despite the amazing start, Anthony still needs to face the triple challenge:

Technical shortcomings: If the "incision-pocketing" routine is studied, can new skills be developed?

Stability test: Betis has no buyout clause yet, and his performance fluctuates or may be in a bench dilemma again.

System dependence: His highlights always rely on the ball control system, limiting the adaptation to more tactical styles.

For Manchester United, recalling him may be a risk bet. Old Premier League player Melchiot warned: "He can't bear the pressure of the Premier League, just like the F1 car can't run the rally." The most expensive mistake in football is the annihilation of talent, Anthony's tears, for himself and for all the geniuses who have lost in the wealthy family. His rebirth reveals a truth: football is not only a game between technology and tactics, but also a symbiosis between psychology and environment. When Betis and Kering Sports reshape the fan experience with digital technology, Manchester United's reform path may start with "respecting individual values."