The winger was slammed by pundits for his 720 degree spin move (Pictures: Getty)
Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil star Neymar has become the latest player to defend Antony after the Manchester United winger was criticised for showboating against FC Sheriff in the Europa League.
The 22-year-old performed his trademark 360 degree drag-back spin move – twice – while the scores were still tied at 0-0, which prompted a backlash from pundits such as Paul Scholes and Robbie Savage.
United needed to win the match to keep their hopes of topping their group – and avoiding a play-off match against a Champions League drop-out – alive, but Antony followed up his trick by over-hitting a pass straight out of play.
‘Well that for me is ridiculous. Because he’s done that and then he puts the ball out of play. Quite embarrassing actually, doing that with nobody near him,’ said Savage during his BT Sport commentary.
‘And then he puts the ball out of play. If I was the manager I would not be happy. And you can hear the crowd. They’re trying to win the game, moving the ball quickly, nobody near him, and he puts the ball out of play. Embarrassing.’
United legend Scholes echoed those sentiments, branding Antony’s showboating as ‘ridiculous’ and even calling him a ‘clown’.
Manager Erik ten Hag refused to condemn Antony after the match – which United ultimately won 3-0 – while he dismissed suggestions the winger had been withdrawn at half-time as a result of his unnecessary skill move.
Now Neymar has sent his support to Antony after the backlash he has received and encouraged him to keep expressing himself.
Sharing a clip of his compatriot doing his spin move, Neymar tagged Antony on Instagram and wrote: ‘Keep it up, don’t change anything! Go for it boy! Boldness and joy.’
Antony himself posted a defiant message on Instagram earlier in the day, saying: ‘We are known for our art and I will not stop doing what has brought me to where I am!’
Neymar wants Antony to keep expressing himself (Picture: Instagram)
United team-mate Fred also defended Antony and hit out at pundits like Scholes and Savage who criticised his trickery, telling ESPN: ‘It’s very annoying that they want to say that.
‘I think it starts with us being Brazilians. Brazilians have quality in their blood. It’s always been that way since Pele, to have quality, to dribble, to score, to dance, to smile.
‘So I think people have to understand this aspect that we have. So it wasn’t offensive to anyone what he did.
‘Of course, if it’s offensive, we’ll come to him in the dressing room and talk. But it was not offensive to anyone. It’s his game. I think he has to keep doing it.’
MORE : Manchester United star Fred jumps to Antony’s defence and hits back at ‘annoying’ Paul Scholes
MORE : Lisandro Martinez reveals the advice he has given Manchester United team-mate Alejandro Garnacho
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The Man Utd winger was slammed by pundits for his 720 degree spin move.