With just a couple twirls, Antony managed to set off something of a firestorm.
The Manchester United winger performed his signature move against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday, which was immediately followed by an errant pass that went out for a goal kick.
Many observers, including his manager Erik ten Hag, didn’t seem to be amused.
Antony was taken off at halftime of United’s eventual 3-0 win, with Ten Hag saying the following day that he wants his flair players to display equal parts fashion and function.
“I do not have a problem with that, as long as it is functional,” the manager said. “So from him, like everyone else, I demand more. More runs behind, being more often in the [opposition’s] box. More pressing. More dribbles against opponents. More playing in the pockets. We demand more dominance.
“Then there is a trick like that which is nice, but as long as it is functional and you do not lose the ball. Then it is OK. But it is a trick and because of the trick, I will correct him.”
Ten Hag may have been measured in his criticism, but Antony’s spin cycle caused several Man Utd legends to lose their minds.
Words like “embarrassing” and “ridiculous” were tossed out by Paul Scholes and others.
Antony, for his part, made a defiant post on Instagram, saying he wasn’t about to stop showing off the kind of skill that earned him a €95 million move to United.
Let’s check just a few of the reaction’s to the 720 heard round the world.