Manchester United star Antony on Tuesday held a press conference at the national team camp. The winger is in Brazil’s squad for the friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia, and works to convince manager Tite he deserves a place at the World Cup.
The first questions were regarding him having a bigger chance of being in the tournament now that he’s in the Premier League. The 22-year-old agreed that he’s now playing against big stars every week.
“I’m very happy to be at Manchester United today, it does have a weight, because of the Premier League, everyone knew it would be a more difficult challenge. Being in a league where the best are will be very important to play in the World Cup,” said Antony (via Globo Esporte).
Regarding his adaptation to English football, the Brazilian claimed this should be no difficulty for someone who’s gone through harder challenges in his career.
“Every time I have new challenges I remember everything I’ve been through. I knew how difficult it would be, to change countries, change leagues, but whenever I think about everything I’ve been through, it motivates me to be able to pursue my career.”
Antony also spoke about the weekend’s controversy, as Vinicius Jr. was a victim of racial abuse after his dancing celebration. The Manchester United player claimed that Brazilians are often targeted for their way of acting, and claimed they will not change.
“There are many things I don’t agree with. We cannot lose this joy, this essence that we have. And it wasn’t just us, Brazilian players, when we score a goal, we dance. Or when you do a skill. Players from Europe also do this. What I don’t understand is always having those eyes for the Brazilian player. It’s always booking Neymar or Vinícius Junior for dancing. That’s what I don’t understand, not only Brazilian players do it, but Europeans do it too.
“What we have with us is not to lose the joy and this essence that we have. Of course, always respecting the opponent, always respecting the person. But we cannot lose something that we have with us. I myself have a dribbling trait, but I can’t stop doing it because people talk. So this essence, this joy that we have we will keep. I speak for myself, as Vinicius Jr went through this, Neymar himself went through this situation.”
Following the €95m move to Manchester United this summer, Antony has one goal in three appearances for the Red Devils. He’s set to return to action for the club in the Manchester derby on the 2nd of October.
