On the eve of the upcoming Community Shield final at 22:00 BST on Saturday night, Manchester United striker Anthony gave an in-depth interview to the Daily Mail, sharing his journey over the past season, the hardships of growing up as a child and his ambitions for the new season.
Growth and Maturity in Adversity
Talking about the turmoil in his personal life, Anthony candidly said, "It's been a year full of challenges in my personal life, and these experiences have inevitably affected my on-court performance. But it's these difficult moments that have taught me to persevere and grow. I have put the past behind me, learned valuable lessons from it and become more mature and stronger." He is a firm believer that nothing is impossible if you persevere in pursuing your goals.
Childhood memories of the slums
Anthony's childhood was spent in the slums, and he recalls, "It was a tough time, but I never gave up on my love of soccer and the pursuit of my dreams. No sneakers and food shortages did not stop me from moving forward. Whenever I see pictures of the slums, I am reminded of where I came from and how much effort I have put in to get to where I am today." The tattoo on his back is a tribute to those times and a symbol of his never-say-die spirit.
Reflections and adjustments from last season
Reflecting on last season's performances, Anthony said, "I have high expectations of myself and therefore wasn't happy with certain moments last season. I tried playing the wingback position, which was a new challenge for me and made me feel a little uneasy. But Coach Ten Hagar's trust and support got me through it. I have a lot of respect for him, he is a great coach and a partner I can count on."
Ambitions for the new season
Looking ahead to the new season, Anthony said with confidence, "I've set a lot of goals for myself, not only on a personal level, but also to contribute to the team. I will keep a detailed record of my goals to remind myself to keep working hard. Whether it's the number of shots on goal, the success rate of passes or the performance of the defense, I will do my best. Please believe that you will hear Anthony's name frequently on the list of goals and assists in the new season."
