Antony and David Neres have become the best of friends at Ajax, but at the same time compete with each other for a place in the starting eleven. The former, who was taken over from São Paulo by the Amsterdammers last summer, says that this competition has no influence on the friendship between the two Brazilian attackers. “We remain friends on the field,” Antony says in an interview with Ajax TV.
“Neres and I are good friends, both privately and during training. At the club we are always together and outside we have contact. We enjoy playing cards together, ”said the 21-year-old attacker. In the last two league games, against FC Groningen (3-1 win) and PEC Zwolle (0-2 win), Neres was preferred to Antony as a right winger. “But that does not matter. He’s doing his thing and I’m doing mine, it doesn’t affect our friendship. It is up to the trainer whether we play together or not, that does not matter. As long as our friendship stays good. ”
Antony is therefore happy when he sees Neres score, such as against PEC Zwolle. “Very happy. Nice to see a Brazilian do something like that. I talked about this with Fred (Pijloo, masseur at Ajax, ed.). As Brazilians, we are happy for each other. Every goal, every pass from him makes me happy. Always ”, says the attacker. Neres was sidelined for more than a month in the first half of the season due to an ankle injury.
“I found it quite difficult to see that”, Antony admits. “No football player wants an injury. And especially a teammate who is also a friend of yours. That’s difficult. But I am happy to see him back on the field and to see him score. If you’ve seen him injured for a while, I’m glad he can now do what he loves the most. He knows that I am always there for him. I also know that the other way around. ”
Antony says he has found his place at Ajax by now. “In the beginning I had a hard time on the field, but I think I adapted well. I think this is a good first season and I recently received a compliment from the trainer. I am very happy with that ”, says the Brazilian. “I have to play better with my right leg and sometimes my positioning on the field could be a bit better. There is still plenty to do and a lot to improve, but I hope to continue like this and get even better. ”