Antony’s skill during Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Sheriff this week may not have had a big impact in the game, but it certainly became one of the topics of conversations following the match.
Some pundits didn’t really agree with the winger showing that type of skill on the pitch. When the Brazilian media covered it, the biggest reaction was to Paul Scholes’ comments, as the Red Devils’ legend went quite heavy on the 22-year-old, calling him a ‘clown’.
So as ESPN Brasil on Friday featured an interview with Manchester United midfielder Fred, they obviously couldn’t leave that subject aside. Reporter Natali Gedra asked him about Antony’s skills, and he showed big support for his teammate.
“I think it starts with us being Brazilians. Brazilians have quality in their blood. It’s always been that way since Pelé, to have quality, to dribble, to score, to dance, to smile. So I think people have to understand this aspect that we have. So it wasn’t offensive to anyone what he did. Of course, if it’s offensive, we’ll come to him in the dressing room and talk. But it was not offensive to anyone. It’s his game. I think he has to keep doing it,” Fred told ESPN Brasil.
“So he has to do it. I think those who have quality have to show it on the pitch there. If you want to control differently, you can control. You want to do a spin that he likes to do, you have to do it. Dance, you can dance. As long as it’s with respect to the opponent, obviously. But I think it’s valid. And I think people have to stop talking on television there, wanting to pull up a subject. Because you have the quality for it, so you have to do it.”
Fred was also asked by ESPN Brasil if such pundit reaction has become ‘out of proportion’. And he agrees with that, continuing to encourage other Brazilians to show their skills in Europe.
“I think so. Also because, as I told you, they are players who have a lot of quality to do that. So sometimes people end up… I don’t know, in their countries they don’t have players of the same quality who do that. And they think it’s different, they think it’s a different culture, I don’t know. I don’t know what they think. But I think it’s very annoying that they want to say that. Them wanting to gloat over Brazil’s players.
“Because they have quality to do it. Neymar sometimes does a rainbow flick, makes a dribble. As I said, I think you have to do it, you have the quality to do it, you can do it. As long as you respect the opponent, you have to show it on the field. So I don’t see any problem.”
During the week, Antony had already defended himself from the media comments. On Instagram, he posted a story with a caption which went as: “We are known for our art and I will not stop doing what has brought me to where I am.”
