Antony Channels Cristiano Ronaldo with Stunning Goal and Celebrations in Real Betis Win
Former Man Utd winger Antony shines for Real Betis, scoring a brilliant long-range goal against Atletico Madrid and emulating Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic celebration. Discover how the Brazilian star's revival at Betis is drawing comparisons with the legendary CR7.
Former Manchester United winger Antony continued his strong form for Real Betis as the 25-year-old whipped home a sumptuous left-footed strike from the edge of the box for the only goal of the game in a 1-0 La Liga win at Atletico Madrid. Antony brought out Cristiano Ronaldo's famous 'calma' celebration after the goal, his tenth of the season, which earned his side all three points.Former United ‘bomb squad’ flop Antony has continued his career revitalisation at Betis after signing for the La Liga side permanently in the summer. He scored the only goal of the game away at Atletico on Sunday, cutting in onto his left foot and firing home at the near post from long range, catching goalkeeper Jan Oblak by surprise.The Brazil international showed his admiration for former United team-mate Ronaldo after scoring, as he copied one of the great Portuguese’s iconic celebrations.He has shown his respect for Ronaldo before, soon after signing for United in 2022. Antony said of his new team-mate at the time: "Words can’t describe Cristiano, the best in the world. In just a few days, I've learnt a lot from him. He has an extraordinary mind and, whenever I talk to him, I take a lot from it.”Antony recently received comparisons with CR7 himself from Betis team-mate Marc Bartra, who claimed the Brazilian is "a mixture of Ronaldo and Neymar" after his decisive performances for Betis.Per Marca, Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini said at full-time after the victory, which came just three days after a 5-0 home defeat to Atletico in the Copa del Rey: "It has been key to maintain defensive security and not concede three goals like in the previous match. We stayed alert, focused, intense, and we didn't allow Atletico Madrid to have the spaces they had on Thursday.”The Chilean added on Antony: “I'm happy for him because it was a great goal; he comes with pubalgia problems that don't prevent him from playing. The pain gets stronger when it gets cold. He worked a lot on the wing. Atletico has full-backs who constantly go on the attack. It was a complete team effort both defensively and offensively.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingBetis strengthened their grip on fifth place in La Liga with the victory, with Antony likely to play an important role if the Andalusia-based outfit are to push for a Champions League spot come the end of the campaign.The former Ajax winger struggled at Old Trafford following his big-money £86m ($116m) move but has found his feet again in La Liga, one of several ex-United players to rediscover themselves elsewhere in recent seasons, alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund.
Antony's Resurgence at Real Betis
Former Manchester United player Antony has rejuvenated his career at Real Betis, displaying exceptional form by scoring a sensational left-footed strike against Atletico Madrid. The remarkable goal, his tenth of the season, sealed a crucial 1-0 victory for Betis in La Liga.
Emulating Cristiano Ronaldo's Celebration
After finding the back of the net with an exquisite long-range effort, Antony paid tribute to his former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo by mimicking the 'calma' celebration. This gesture further underscores his admiration for the footballing icon and showcases the camaraderie between the two players.
Praise from Teammates and Manager
Teammate Marc Bartra likened Antony to a blend of Ronaldo and Neymar, highlighting the Brazilian's impact at Real Betis. Manager Manuel Pellegrini commended Antony's goal-scoring prowess and defensive contributions, emphasizing the crucial role he plays in the team's tactical setup.
Betis' Ambitions and Antony's Key Role
With Betis solidifying their position in the top five of La Liga, Antony's stellar performances are pivotal to their aspirations of securing a Champions League berth. The winger's resurgence in Spain mirrors the success stories of other former United players who have flourished in different leagues.








