How Antony Almost Joined Bayern Munich Before Choosing Real Betis
When Antony revealed that Vincent Kompany personally phoned him during the final hours of the transfer window in a push to join Bayern Munich, it sparked huge intrigue. Now that Antony has settled at Real Betis on a permanent deal, his performances have validated his decision, especially when seen in contrast to Kompany’s own attacking vision at Bayern, where the Belgian opted for Luis Díaz alongside Michael Olise and Harry Kane. Here’s how both stories intertwine.
Antony’s Resurgence At Betis: Stats Don’t Lie
Since making his loan move to Real Betis in January 2025, Antony has rediscovered the form that made him a standout at Ajax. During that half-season spell, he featured in 26 matches across all competitions, scored nine goals, and provided five assists, per beIN Sports.
That output impressed the club enough to make the deal permanent. In fact, Antony completed his transfer from Manchester United to Betis in the summer for around €25 million, with a 50% sell-on clause. During his time at Betis, he has also been a creative force: beIN Sports reports that only five players in LaLiga created more chances than Antony (he created 37), and he completed 24 successful dribbles in that period.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini has praised his attitude and potential, suggesting that Antony is still improving and that Betis sees long-term value in him. Taken together, these stats show that Antony isn’t just here to coast; he’s become an integral attacking piece for Betis, thriving in a system that values his flair, directness, and creativity.
Why Antony’s Decision To Stay Made Sense
Turning down Bayern in favor of Betis wasn’t just about playing time or money. Antony has spoken publicly about how he gave his word to Betis when he first joined on loan, and how a permanent stay made sense not just professionally, but personally.
At Betis, he found a supportive environment and a coach (Pellegrini) who trusts him, something he struggled to find at Manchester United. His resurgence on the pitch has come alongside a sense of stability off it, with his family reportedly happy in Seville.
That kind of balance can be rare in modern football, especially when so much of the sport is driven by big-money transfers and short-term deals. Additionally, his performances have reignited his visibility on the international scene; he has spoken about his World Cup ambitions, and a strong season in LaLiga could certainly help his case.
Kompany’s Bayern Pivot: Why He Went With Díaz Over Antony
While Antony was making up his mind, Vincent Kompany was busy reshaping Bayern Munich’s attack, but without him. Instead of chasing Antony, Bayern signed Luis Díaz from Liverpool in the summer of 2025 for a reported €75 million.
Kompany has spoken positively about Díaz’s energy, creativity, and directness, calling him “full of energy” very early on. Díaz himself has expressed enthusiasm about playing with Harry Kane (Bayern’s target man) and Michael Olise, telling Bild that Kane’s quality and Olise’s flair would complement him well.
From a tactical perspective, Bayern now has a very modern, multi-dimensional attack: Kane at the center, backed by Díaz on the left wing and Olise on the right. Díaz brings pace, pressing, and goal threat from wide, while Olise offers creativity, dribbling, and link-up play. Those three, under Kompany’s management, look very capable of becoming one of the most dangerous attacks in Europe.
What This Says About Priorities & Identity
Antony’s path and Bayern’s choices illustrate two very different philosophies in the modern football market. Antony prioritized fit, trust, and stability — choosing a club where he could unlock his potential, rather than simply chasing the biggest name. His Betis revival offers a strong argument that such decisions can pay off both on and off the pitch.
On the other side, Kompany’s Bayern are building for elite-level competitiveness. By signing Díaz and relying on Olise and Kane, he’s betting on a sharp, fast, and flexible forward line. He passed on Antony, but committed to a strategy that leverages high-tempo wings, a physical center-forward, and a manager who seems confident in pressing and positional play.
In short, Antony’s resurgence is not just a redemption story; it’s a lesson in career architecture. Meanwhile, Kompany’s Bayern project is emerging as a serious challenger on multiple fronts, thanks to his big-money bets and a clear identity in attack.
