Antony Santos recalls his Manchester United debut: ‘It was like living a dream’

Santos understands the significance of a football player off the field. The Osasco child who accomplished his sporting goal is inspiring future generations.

GQ Türkiye: what are your favorite pre- and post-game routines?

Antony Santos: The pre-game is very important. We train a lot for the games, but rest is also essential, resting our muscles and arriving 100% for the matches. I like being with my friends, with my family. We went out to dinner, getting to know the city like everyone else.

What most important lesson have you learned from your time as a professional football player?

Don’t give up and be persistent. Things won’t always happen the way you imagine or want. Obstacles are part of the process, natural. So that’s it, never give up. If today is bad, learn, improve, because tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to make it work.

Antony: ‘Obstacles are part of the process, natural’ — Photo: Obstacles are part of the process, natural

When you were younger, did you imagine playing with one of your great idols?

We dream, right? What seemed so distant is now real. Being able to play with some of the top players on the planet is something a boy from Osasco would always dream of, and today it is becoming a reality.

What sacrifices do you see as the most difficult in your career? And what do you think should be the limit of sacrifice for a dedicated player?

I always wanted to be a football player and my family gave me 100% support. I had to leave home to stay at the club. You miss some things along the way, but my family and I always stay focused, so that things go as smoothly as possible. It was all worth it, and I believe we would do it all the same again.

The social side of Antony Santos was a topic last year, when the player dedicated a goal for the national team to Moïse Mugenyi, a Congolese murdered in Rio de Janeiro — Photo: David Bellemere

How do you balance the business side of football and the central meaning of the sport for you?

Nowadays we know that the athlete’s role goes beyond the field. Of course, the biggest focus is on the sport part, working well with your club and national team. But we also know that today we are mirrors for future generations to come and set an example, whether by associating ourselves with serious brands and important purposes, or with social and humanitarian causes. Being a player means setting an example, on and off the pitch.

Which Premier League game has been your best performance on the pitch so far?

I think my first. It was like living a dream. Debut in Manchester, at Old Trafford, in a classic against Arsenal, and still score a goal? It is not possible to be more perfect.