If you’ve been following the chaotic transfer sagas of the last few seasons, you’ve probably asked yourself: what team does Antony play for right now? It’s a fair question. One minute he was the "95 million euro man" doing fidget-spinner 360s at Old Trafford, and the next, he seemed to vanish from the Premier League spotlight entirely.
Honestly, the answer isn’t Manchester United anymore.
As of early 2026, Antony Matheus dos Santos plays for Real Betis in Spain’s La Liga. He’s no longer a Red Devil. The Brazilian winger completed a permanent move to the Seville-based club in September 2025, ending one of the most polarizing chapters in Manchester United’s modern history.
It wasn't a clean break, either. It was messy, expensive, and involve a lot of late-night paperwork. But for Antony, it seems like the best thing that could've happened to his career.
The Drama Behind the Move: Why Antony Left United
To understand why people are still asking what team does Antony play for, you have to look at the "bomb squad" era at Manchester United. When Ruben Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag in late 2024, the vibes changed instantly. Amorim is a "system" manager. He likes high intensity, tactical discipline, and players who fit specific profiles.
Antony? He just didn't fit.
He was essentially frozen out. By the summer of 2025, United were desperate to get his massive wages off the books. They eventually agreed to a permanent deal with Real Betis for roughly £19 million plus add-ons. If you’re doing the math, that is a staggering £60 million loss on what they paid Ajax just a few years prior.
- The Loan Spell: He actually spent the second half of the 2024/25 season at Betis on loan first.
- The Revival: He scored 9 goals in that short stint, helping Betis reach the UEFA Conference League final.
- The Permanent Deal: On September 1, 2025, the move became official. He signed a contract that keeps him at the Estadio Benito Villamarín until 2030.
It’s wild how much a change of scenery matters. In Manchester, he looked like a player who had forgotten how to beat a defender. In Seville? He’s playing with that "Bailado" flair again. He recently told FIFA in an interview that he finally feels "calm" and has rediscovered the joy of the game.
What Team Does Antony Play For in 2026? Stats and Impact
Right now, Antony is a locked-in starter for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. He wears the number 7 shirt and has become a fan favorite in the Triana district.
If you look at his 2025/26 season stats, they tell a story of a player reborn. He’s already notched 8 goals and 5 assists across all competitions by January 2026. Compare that to his final full season in England, where he struggled to find the back of the net at all, and the difference is night and day.
Spanish football just suits him better. The pace is a bit more technical and a little less "track meet" than the Premier League. He has more space to cut inside on that left foot. Plus, the pressure of a £85 million price tag is gone. At Betis, he's just a talented winger trying to help a historic club get back into the Champions League.
Recent Form and National Team Hopes
Because of his form at Betis, Antony has actually forced his way back into the Brazilian national team conversation. He’s desperately pushing for a spot in the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
It’s a complete 180. A year ago, people were wondering if he’d even stay in Europe. Now, he’s one of the most productive wingers in Spain. He’s even been linked with a potential move back to a bigger European giant if he keeps this up, though Betis reportedly have a 50% sell-on clause included in their deal with United, which makes any future transfer complicated.
Breaking Down the Career Path
If you're trying to keep track of his whole journey, here is the quick breakdown of where he's been:
- São Paulo (2018–2020): The breakout years in Brazil.
- Ajax (2020–2022): Where he became a European star under Ten Hag.
- Manchester United (2022–2025): High highs (debut goal vs Arsenal) and very low lows.
- Real Betis (2025–Present): The career revival and permanent home.
The "what team does Antony play for" question usually comes from fans who remember the highlight reels from 2022 but lost track of him during the Ruben Amorim transition. It’s a classic case of a player being the "wrong fit at the wrong time" for one club, but the "perfect piece" for another.
Why This Matters for Your Fantasy Team or Football Knowledge
If you’re still playing FIFA (or FC 26, whatever they’re calling it now) or managing a Football Manager save, you’ll find him at Betis. He’s no longer that overpriced United asset; he’s a high-value La Liga winger.
The main takeaway here is that Antony’s story isn’t over. Most people written him off as one of the biggest "flops" in Premier League history. And look, financially for United, he was. But as a player? He’s proving that he’s still got the talent that made him so expensive in the first place.
If you want to keep tabs on his progress, watch Real Betis's Europa League matches. He's been their most creative outlet in European competition this season. It's kinda crazy to think that a player who couldn't get a minute under Amorim is now one of the first names on the team sheet in Spain.
What to Watch Next
Keep an eye on the January 2026 transfer window. While Antony is happy at Betis, there are rumors that Betis is trying to bring in his former United teammate Joshua Zirkzee to join him in Seville. The "United Connection" might be moving to Spain.
If you're looking for the most up-to-date info on what team does Antony play for, you can follow the official Real Betis social media channels or check the La Liga standings. He’s likely going to be a fixture in that green and white kit for a long time.
Start looking for his name in the Brazil squad lists for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. If he makes that plane to the 2026 World Cup, the comeback story will be complete.
Actionable Insight: If you're a scout or a fan of technical wingers, watch Real Betis's next match against Real Oviedo. Antony is currently playing some of the most efficient football of his career, averaging over 3 successful dribbles per game, a stat that puts him in the top 5% of La Liga wingers this season. For those tracking his value, his market price has already rebounded to the €30-35 million range, proving that his career is far from over.