'Spanish football is smarter than the Premier League'

24/09/2025 15:00:00 pandatv

Javier Tebas praised Real Betis for signing Antony at a low cost, calling it a prime example of La Liga's wise strategy compared to the Premier League's extravagance.

Manchester United once spent $100 million to bring Antony to Old Trafford, making him the club's second most expensive signing after Paul Pogba. However, the Brazilian star quickly declined, scoring only 12 goals in 96 matches and frequently facing criticism. At the end of last season, MU was forced to loan Antony back to Betis before agreeing to sell him permanently for $20 million, including a clause for 50% of any future resale fee.

This deal became a source of pride for La Liga. Speaking at the Spanish Sports Business Forum, President Javier Tebas stated: “We have to look for opportunities in the market because Spanish clubs can't spend recklessly like the Premier League. Antony is a perfect example. MU paid $100 million, while Betis got him for $20 million.”.

MU paid $100 million for Antony, making him the club's second most expensive signing ever

Tebas also recalled Robert Lewandowski's criticism of Premier League clubs paying enormous fees for young players who have not yet proven their worth. “This is the problem in the Premier League. They spend millions on players who have only scored six goals in a season, but their real value is very low,”Tebas added.

Unlike the time when Real Madrid broke the bank with an £80 million deal for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, La Liga now has to be more pragmatic. Strict financial regulations force Spanish clubs to focus on bargains instead of money wars.

Antony is a vivid example of this difference. Returning to Betis, the 25-year-old quickly revived his form. Over 1,000 jerseys with his name sold out in days, and the contract announcement video went viral as Betis depicted the image of a “GOAT” running across the Isabel II bridge. Antony's image is everywhere in Seville, making him the club's new commercial face.

Javier Tebas called Betis’s purchase of Antony a textbook example of smart decision-making

On the field, Antony enjoys full trust from coach Manuel Pellegrini. “We encourage creativity. Antony feels important, and that completely changes his mindset,”he said. Former MU striker Terry Gibson also commented: “At Betis, Antony is loved and valued. When a player feels appreciated, everything changes.”.

Even teammates recognize his impact. Isco jokingly said Betis should “kidnap” Antony, while legend Joaquin said he’s ready to “drive away with Isco” to keep the Brazilian player.

From being labeled a “flop” at MU, Antony has now become a symbol of revival at Betis. With a fee only one-fifth of what MU paid, Tebas praised this deal as proof of the intelligence and creativity in how La Liga clubs operate. This is also his message to the Premier League: you don’t need crazy spending to create real value in football.

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