On the sun-baked asphalt of Inferninho—a favela tucked away on the far fringes of Osasco, São Paulo—football is not merely a pastime; it is an instinct born of spatial constraint and necessity. It was here that Antony Matheus dos Santos forged his identity, refining a volatile blend of futsal-honed sole-control and street-samba flair. Today, at twenty-one, that same raw expressiveness has found a refined tactical canvas at Ajax, making him one of Europe's most captivating young wide forwards.
Crucible of the Morumbi
Antony’s path to professional football was neither linear nor preordained. Inducted into São Paulo’s youth system at an early age, his initial academy tenure was fraught with uncertainty. Deficit in physical stature and struggling for consistent minutes, he faced imminent dismissal from the youth ranks—saved only by a perceptive coaching staff that advocated for his retention.
That patience yielded immediate dividends. Alongside contemporaries Helinho and Igor Gomes, Antony became the nucleus of a vibrant generation. In September 2018, he led São Paulo to victory in the J-League Challenge in Japan, earning Player of the Tournament honors. A senior promotion swiftly followed, marked by his first-team debut on November 15, 2018, against Grêmio.
Rather than cementing his status immediately, Antony was reassigned to the under-20 side for the prestigious 2019 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior (Copinha). The temporary demotion proved to be his grand catalyst: Antony dominated the tournament, scoring in the final against Vasco da Gama and finishing as the MVP with four goals and six assists in nine matches.
Re-embedded into the senior squad during a turbulent Campeonato Paulista campaign, Antony quickly adapted to senior demands. He notched his debut goal against São Caetano on March 21, 2019, before scoring in the Paulista final against Corinthians. By March 2020, following his Copa Libertadores debut against Binacional, the young Brazilian had outgrown the South American stage.
European Transition: The Ajax Canvas
In February 2020, Ajax secured Antony's signature on a five-year contract effective July 1, 2020, for an initial £13 million (potentially rising to £18.2 million). Stepping into the void left by Hakim Ziyech's departure to Chelsea, Antony adjusted to the demands of Dutch football with remarkable swiftness.
On September 13, 2020, he marked his Eredivisie debut by scoring the winner away to Sparta Rotterdam. He translated that momentum to continental competition, making his UEFA Champions League debut against Atalanta in October before converting his first European goal against Midtjylland on November 3. Throughout this inaugural 2020–21 campaign, his dynamic interplay on the right flank—frequently rotating with compatriot David Neres—has provided Erik ten Hag’s system with unpredictable verticality.
Tactical Profile: The Anatomy of an Inverted Winger
Antony exemplifies the modern archetype of the asymmetrical inverted winger, operating predominantly on the right perimeter to drive inward toward high-density central zones.
Core Strengths
Spatial Manipulation and Rhythm Control: Rather than relying purely on linear speed, Antony uses rhythm changes. He receives wide, freezes his full-back with tight, measured touches, and executes sudden bursts or step-overs to breach the defensive line.
Left-Foot Dominance: Favouring his left foot, Antony routinely shifts inside onto his dominant side, opening body angles to deliver bending crosses toward the back post or unleash curling efforts into the far corner.
Out-of-Possession Work Rate: Unlike typical dynamic wide men, Antony exhibits defensive commitment. He aggressively tracks back, engages in high-pressing triggers, and offers structural coverage for his overlapping full-back.
Limitations and Development Areas
Predictability: His single-minded desire to cut inside onto his left foot can allow disciplined defensive blocks to anticipate his trajectory and double-team the central channel.
Non-Dominant Foot Reliance: His hesitancy to go down the outside onto his right foot limits his capacity to hit early, low cutbacks from the dead-ball line, occasionally slowing down rapid transition phases.
As Ajax pursue silverware on domestic and European fronts this spring, Antony remains one of South America's most intriguing technical exports—a winger who carries the raw flair of the favela within the structured geometry of Dutch Total Football.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
