A Manchester United player Ruben Amorim sold for £22m has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
Brazilian winger Antony left Old Trafford on a permanent transfer last summer, joining Spanish side Real Betis.
Antony spent last season on loan in La Liga and was keen to return to Betis following an upturn in form under Manuel Pellegrini.
The 25-year-old moved to Manchester United in 2022 in a deal worth £82m – making him the most expensive Eredivisie player in history and one of the most expensive Premier League signings.
But Antony spent two-and-a-half underwhelming seasons at United before Amorim sanctioned his £21.7m move to Real Betis.
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Antony scored nine goals for Betis in the second-half of last season and has continued to impress this term, bagging six goals and providing two assists in 11 appearances.
Real Betis defender Marc Bartra believes we are now ‘seeing the real’ Antony and even compared the Brazil international to Ronaldo and Neymar.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is considered one of the best players of all time, having scored nearly 1,000 goals in a career that has produced a number of trophies.
Ex-Barcelona and PSG superstar Neymar, meanwhile, is one of the best players of his generation, securing trophies in Spain, Brazil and France.
Asked how Antony has been able to revive his career at Betis, Bartra told Mundobetis: ‘It’s a style of football that suits him very well, that’s why we’re seeing the real Antony again, even an improved Antony.
‘The first day I spoke with him, I already saw his mentality, with that quality and that Brazilian talent.
‘I always say he’s a mix between Neymar and Cristiano. He has the same mentality as Cristiano, always striving for more and being very focused on the game.’
After joining Real Betis on a permanent transfer, Antony said he felt ‘disrespected’ by Manchester United towards the end of his spell at Old Trafford.
Antony was placed in Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ over the summer and forced to train away from the rest of the first-team while United negotiated a deal with Betis.
‘They were very tough months in England, more than 40 days in a hotel, training separately… I feel like I was disrespected, but that’s not the point,’ Antony explained.
‘I don’t want to create controversy, that’s life. I’m feel grateful towards the club. There were bad times, but also good times with two titles.
‘My family travelled to Seville four or five days before the deal was finalised; they had rented the house. I had already spoken to them and my heart was telling me to return to Betis.
‘I always look at happiness first and I was very happy here at Betis. I know my children and my wife are happy here.
‘Before making the decision, I spoke with them all. It’s an incredible city and the people, too. Not just the fans, but everyone.
‘I looked at my happiness first, because I know that when I’m happy, things turn out well. Money is important, but happiness is much more important.’
Real Betis, currently fifth in La Liga, face Girona in their first game following the international break.
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