Antony has admitted that he was considering pulling himself out of football during his overwhelming spell with Manchester United, and added that he “was” since he came to Real Betis.
Antony came to United in 2022 for a reported fee of £ 85 million, with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
But the Brazilian struggled for form in the Premier League and recorded only five goals and three assists in 62 performances in the competition.
After Ten Hag was fired in October, Antony was frozen by new boss Ruben Amorim and was allowed to join Betis with a loan of half a season in January.
He looked a player out since arrival in Sevilla, making Betis sixth to end in LaLiga and reach the Conference League final, where they will be confronted with Chelsea on Wednesday.
In an interview with TNT Sports Brazil in the construction of that competition, Antony opened how his struggles at Old Trafford influenced him from the field.
“I always say that I had good moments, but I also had very difficult moments. Not only on the field, but also,” he said.
“I have experienced a number of very difficult times that have influenced me a lot. But I am very grateful, even for these difficult moments that I have experienced. Today I feel much more mature, much more prepared, I feel much better.
“It was a moment when I thought to stop playing. I no longer felt that desire to play football because of everything I went through.”
Antony was involved in seven goals in eight performances by the League Conference for Betis (four goals, three assists), after he had only scored two goals – and had not given any assist – in 17 European performances with United.
“My career has changed a lot,” said Antony. “It changed a lot because I had to find myself, for everything I have experienced there in my personal life.
“I wanted to do things, but it seemed like it didn't happen because I wasn't happy, I didn't feel that desire to play football anymore and I had to find myself.
“Only I know what it was like in the house, not even the power to even play with my son, days without eating, to stay in my room.”
Wednesday's game is the first major European final of Betis.
They are the 12th Spanish club that appears in their first European showpiece and the first since Villarreal in 2020-21, which the Europa League won on penalties against United.