Manchester United star Antony has lifted the lid on his childhood upbringing ‘in hell’ and explained how critics who labelled him a ‘clown’ simply misunderstand him.
The Brazilian winger is currently preparing to take part in his first ever World Cup, having become a crucial part of the Selecao squad across the past year.
But before the tournament gets underway in Qatar, the 22-year-old revealed the trials and tribulations he’s had to overcome on his journey to the top – such as seeing a ‘dead body’ on his way to school.
Man United star Antony has lifted the lid on his difficult upbringing in the favelas of Sao Paulo
The United winger revealed how the difficult environment shaped his personality to this day
Speaking to the Players Tribune, Antony said: ‘I was born in hell. That’s not a joke. For my European friends who don’t know, the favela where I grew up in São Paulo is actually called Inferninho — “little hell.”
‘It is an infamous place. Fifteen steps from our front door, there were always drug dealers doing their business, passing stuff hand-to-hand. The smell was constantly outside our window.’
The Manchester United winger spent his entire childhood in Brazil before being signed to São Paulo’s academy at the age of 10 – where he stayed eight years.
‘Every day, my older brother would take me to the square to play football. In the favela, everyone plays. Kids, old men, teachers, construction workers, bus drivers, drug dealers, gangsters. There, everyone is equal,’ he continued.
‘I was small, but I dribbled with a meanness that came from God. Dribbling was always something inside me. It was a natural instinct. And I refused to bow my head to anyone. I would elastico the drug dealers. Rainbow the bus drivers. Nutmeg the thieves. I really did not give a f***.’
The United star is preparing to partake in his first ever World Cup tournament with Brazil
The winger will be looking to build on his 11 appearances and two goals when out in Qatar
Antony continued: ‘Man, some of the things I have seen… only those who have lived it can understand. On my walk to school one morning, when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, I came across a man laying in the alley.
‘When I got closer, I realized he was dead. In the favela, you become kind of numb to these things. There was no other way to go, and I had to get to school. So I just closed my eyes and jumped over the dead body.
‘I went from the slums to Ajax to Manchester United in three years. People always ask me how I was able to “turn the key” so quickly.
‘Honestly, it is because I feel no pressure on a football pitch. No fear. Fear? What is fear? When you grow up having to jump over dead bodies just to make it to school, you cannot be scared of anything in football.’
The former Ajax star remains the same bold, brave and braggadocios player that used to play on the streets of Sao Paulo and has developed a reputation as a flair player at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old spent two years with Dutch side Ajax after being signed from Sao Paulo
Just last month, Antony performed his trademark 720-degree spin during United’s 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol – which resulted in a heap of backlash towards the winger.
United club legend, Paul Scholes, ripped into the forward after the game: ‘Does that do anything for anybody? Does that do anything for himself? I’d have to ask him – even at 4-0 up what does that do for you?
‘This country, any country even Brazil. They don’t want to see that do they? I like to see skills and entertainment, I just don’t think it’s skill or entertainment it’s just being a clown.’
Many would be disheartened by a brutal lambasting from Scholes, though Antony has not waivered from his stance and instead thinks that critics ‘don’t understand my story’.
Antony performed his trademark skill against Sheriff Tiraspol that led to backlash
Antony said that people who call him a clown – like Paul Scholes – ‘don’t understand my story’
‘If you think I’m just a clown, then you don’t understand my story. The art of Ronaldinho and Cristiano and Neymar inspired me as a child,’ Antony continued.
‘I watched these Gods in amazement on stolen Wifi, then I went out to the concrete pitch to try to imitate their genius.
‘This is my story. If you still don’t understand me, or if you still think that I am a clown, then I will just point to the ink on my arm…. Whoever comes from the favela knows a little bit of what I’ve been through.’
The United winger will likely be in action during Brazil’s opening game of the World Cup when they face Serbia next Thursday.
The United star claims that people misunderstand him and his reasons for doing tricks
