Man Utd loanee Antony 'living a dream' as Betis reach Conference final

Antony is the most recognizable star of Manuel Pellegrini's Betis. The Brazilian has gone from ostracism at Manchester United to being the driving force behind the Andalusian side's campaign in Europe. A goal and an assist from him took the Sevillians to the Conference League final.

"I'm a little tired, but more happy than tired. My family and I know what we went through three or four months ago to be living this moment. I am living a dream because I have gone through many things in my personal life, it has changed now, I am very grateful to God for everything, to be living this moment for me and for my family," he told reporters.

"I have cried a lot with my mother, with my wife, with my sister, with my brother, because we went through very difficult moments to be enjoying this moment," said Antony.

"When the match is over, the emotion comes because it is of joy and relief also because I went through difficult moments in my life and I am living an incredible moment not only on the pitch, as a family too, which is very important, and I feel very happy," he added.

"It was a very difficult match, we had to pay more attention to set pieces, but well... It can't happen again, but in a semifinal, everything happens: we scored, they scored twice, but the important thing is that we stick together. This group, the players, the staff... It's incredible, that's what this dressing room is like, all united. What happened with the full-back - he was referring to Ranieri, with whom he had a few run-ins - is part of the game; we talked, then it was normal. We both wanted to win, but I respect everyone," he concluded.