Antony, the new star of Ajax

When Ziyech left Ajax, all of Amsterdam cried. He was the best player in the league. But they would never have thought that they would find a replacement so quickly. Antony (Osasco, Sao Paulo, 20 years old), who wears number 39 but does outstanding things, is being the revelation of the championship. He knows it and is delighted. “My first objectives were to adapt to Europe, to start and make my debut in the Champions League. They are already more ambitious and I want to win the Eredivisie and go as far as possible in the Champions League“, explains the player to ACE.

His signing for Ajax changed him completely. They presented him with a very attractive project, they gave it the attention it deserved during the negotiations and the club's tradition of caring for talent was what ended up swinging the balance. Although he was convinced, Sao Paulo did not make it easy for him and the operation was closed in figures that, with variables, can reach € 21,750,000, a lot of money in the Dutch market. But he doesn't care: “I'm sure I made the right decision. In addition, there was Neres, a friend who gave me football. We know each other from Sao Paulo, We have a very similar life story and I love him very much. Has helped me since I've been here“Precisely because of him, Antony has had to leave the comfort zone of the right wing, from which he can profile himself to look for the shot or the pass between the lines that he handles perfectly. But he claims to feel comfortable in either of the two bands and even playing in the center.

Antony not only adapts quickly, he also lands on his feet. In his first official match with Ajax he scored the final 0-1 and in the Champions he left great -and viral- details against Atalanta to score at Midtjylland's home in minute one of the game on the following day. Greatness is not learned, but looking at the best helps. “Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lucas Moura. With him I had the opportunity to live and share experiences that are helping me in my life here in Europe. Now I live with Tadic, whom I admired before. But now much more, is a crack “.

In this 2020 he is another footballer. And not by chance, but he sought it out. For something in 10 games with Ajax he has scored more goals than in the 37 in Brazil. He wanted to be more of a scorer and he was working on this throughout the quarantine with a member of the Sao Paulo coaching staff to work the shot with the right leg and the header. “When I arrived in Europe I went through a change of mentality, where the goal is the most important. In Brazil I was defending more like me and I couldn't go up that much, “he admits. Holland's offensive football is a blessing for him, and although today his head is focused on Ajax, since childhood he has followed the Ligto. “It's incredible, a tournament that brings together great players with technical quality and tactical obedience. And Spain is a country that I love “, although I do not know wet Regarding whether he shoots more towards Madrid or towards Barça: “It's hard to give an opinion, you know (laughs). They are two of the biggest clubs in the world and they have great Brazilian talents that I support. “

Like every child, and more like a Brazilian, his dream is to play for the national team. For now, he awaits his turn with the Olympic team, in which he is a fixed. He was a regular starter in the Pre-Olympic in January and February, just when his transfer to Ajax was closing. “Defending my country will always be a great honor and I know that the Federation takes me into account. Everything has its time and I will fight to compete in the Tokyo Olympics and also to debut with the absolute. That is my goal“, he confesses. It won't take long if he continues to play at this level.