FOOD FOR THOUGHT ‘I couldn’t eat’ – New Man Utd star Antony’s teenage diary reveals brave 4-month journey from outcast to hero in Brazil
Posted Saturday, September 03, 2022 by Thesun.co.uk
ANTONY has completed an incredible journey from Sao Paulo to Manchester — via Amsterdam.
The Brazilian winger, 22, is now preparing for his Manchester United debut after arriving from Ajax in a stunning £85.5million deal.
Brazilian winger Antony came through the ranks at Sao Paulo before joining Ajax
Antony scored six goals in 52 games in all competitions for Sao Paulo
While still a teenager, he wrote a book detailing his struggles in the Sao Paulo youth system while living in the city district of Osasco.
Charlie Wyett leafs through his diary, From Overcoming A Real Dream, where he describes when he broke into the first team.
How can four months change a person’s life? I went from distrust to glory in four months.
I went from being unknown to one of the greatest prospects of Brazilian football. I left Osasco for the world. All this in four months.
In these four months I’ve needed to have a lot of strength, faith and the ability to overcome in order to reach my great objective: to be a pro footballer with Sao Paulo.
I hope this diary serves as an inspiration for how life can change quickly when you believe in your target. It’s the beginning of a story that won’t stop for anything or anybody.
2019 started in a sad way for me. I expected to play for Brazil’s Under-20s and for Sao Paulo in the Florida Cup. I didn’t get called up. I didn’t understand, I wanted a chance.
I played in the Sao Paulo Cup, with my head up, and the rest is history.
I grew in the competition, became more confident and my growth started there.
Antony linked up with Manchester United on deadline day in an £85.5million deal
I had to be patient, I tried to listen and learn from the oldest players. When my chance came, I was going to grab it.
I came on as a sub, we won, and I started to feel pleasure in what was to come in my career.
I was sad I didn’t get picked for the next game. They changed coach. What would become of me, still trying to get my space?
The new coach, Vagner Mancini, spoke to me a lot.
From then on, the players began to receive me in a different way and to help me a lot. My confidence grew as I played more minutes.
All that was missing was a goal and I scored a nice goal on March 20 against Sao Caetano.
I didn’t know how to celebrate, I just wanted to take it all in. I will remember my first goal all my life, especially as it was so important as it meant us qualifying.
We beat the favourites, Palmeiras, on penalties in the semi-final of the Brazilian league championship. It was the happiest time of my career.
Antony could make his Red Devils debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday
Former Ajax forward Antony won two Eredivisie titles with the Dutch club
I was so excited about the final against Corinthians. I was so anxious that I didn’t eat on the day of the game and I wasn’t well. I wasn’t the Antony of other games.
I scored in the second leg. I started to think of the path I’d taken, remembering I’d been on the club’s discard list three times.
And, suddenly, I was there in a final, scoring a goal.
Unfortunately, we lost. I couldn’t contain my tears. After the game, I was able to take it in and feel satisfaction with the path to get there.
After four months, I’m no longer the same Antony. How much I’ve developed.
Now I will work double and learn double so that the path to success becomes a reality and a constant in my career. I lost a cup, I won a cup.
I learnt to lose and take good things even in defeat.
I feel confident. When I enter the pitch, I do everything with heart and soul. I’m ready for the next challenges.
Antony has been reunited with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and team-mate Lisandro Martinez at the Theatre of Dreams
Antony scored 12 goals from 33 outings for Ajax during the 2022-23 campaign
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