Former Manchester United man has seen his overall impact at Real Betis decline in recent weeks.
Real Betis winger Antony has been struggling after a dip in form and it may have cost him a place in Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The winger struggled again in Betis’ 0-0 draw with Espanyol last weekend, producing a subdued display before being substituted in the 66th minute by manager Manuel Pellegrini. It was his fourth straight league appearance without a goal or assist.
Antony recently scored in a 4-0 Europa League win over Panathinaikos and has registered 12 goals and nine assists in 37 matches so far this season, but his overall impact has declined in recent weeks.
Pellegrini said the Brazilian had been facing fitness problems, specifically the well-known pubalgia, a persistent groin issue that affects many footballers.
“What’s wrong with him? A bit of everything,” Pellegrini said in defence of his winger’s form. “First, it’s a physical issue, because he doesn’t train every day.
“Second, he has pubalgia and if we make him play 90 minutes, it’s very difficult for him to recover for the next game. Third, that same pubalgia still gives him some discomfort, but one always expects him to do decisive things as he does.
“We have to continue taking him with great care. I don’t think he is in a position to complete 90 minutes, as I say, because that limits him a lot for the next game.”
The timing is problematic for Antony, who has not been in Brazil’s lineup since May 2025, when he was an unused substitute in matches against Ecuador and Paraguay. Carlo Ancelotti is set to name his final 26-man squad on 18 May and the former Manchester United man looks unlikely to be in it.
Given their form, young talents Endrick and Estevao Willian may also have bigger cases to make about going to the World Cup than Antony.
