Manchester United winger Antony has snapped back at Paul Scholes for calling him "a clown" after showing off his trademark move against FC Sheriff last month.
During that Europa League game, the summer signing from Ajax drew attention for a 720-degree spin with former United midfielder Scholes not best pleased after watching it in his role as a TV pundit. Antony, 23, has carved out a reputation for his fleet-footed skills since bursting onto the European stage.
However, while Brazilian flair is part of his DNA - having grown up watching Ronaldinho and Neymar among others - Antony was heavily criticised by Scholes and other observers at the time. Due to a leg injury, Antony has not played since that meeting at Old Trafford on Thursday, October 27.
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He has been named for World Cup duty by Brazil, though, while the Samba Stars are among the favourites to pick up the trophy in Qatar this month.
Speaking to BT Sport about Antony and his 720 turn last month, Scholes said: "I don't know what the skill achieves. Even before that, he did nothing in the game, I think he needs a more entertaining skill.
"I don't know if that's skill or entertainment. That's being a clown."
Antony was pressed on those comments during an in-depth interview with The Players Tribune. He replied: "If you think I'm just a clown, then you don't understand my story. The arts of Ronaldinho, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Neymar inspired me as a child."
Antony added: "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'm a clown, 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.
"Those words speak for me. And for us all."
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