Man Utd forward Antony says he had to 'jump over dead body just to make it to school'

Man Utd forward Antony says he had to 'jump over dead body just to make it to school',Manchester United star Antony has shared harrowing details of his upbringing in a Sao Paulo favela - where he once had to jump over a body while making his way to school

Man Utd forward Antony says he had to ‘jump over dead body just to make it to school’

Manchester United star Antony has shared haunting details of his upbringing in a Sao Paulo favela – including having to jump over a dead body on his way to school.

The Brazil international star has explained how football was his 'escape' as a youngster in his home of Inferninho or 'little hell' where he often saw guns and gangsters.

The 22-year-old, who got his big break in the youth squad at Sao Paulo FC at the age of just 10, has opened up in an extended chat with The Players' Tribune.

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Having shared details of Inferninho, he added: "Man, some of the things I have seen …. Only those who have lived it can understand. On my walk to school one morning, when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, I came across a man laying in the alley.

"He was not moving. When I got closer, I realised he was dead. In the favela, you become kind of numb to these things. There was no other way to go, and I had to get to school. So I just closed my eyes and jumped over the dead body."

Later adding: "The things that I have seen, most football pundits can only imagine. There are things you cannot unsee."

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Antony got his big break with Sao Paulo before joining Ajax (Image: Instagram @antony00)

As well as explaining how the police once raided his house while looking for someone, Antony said that playing football with his older bothers was his escape.

He added that he remembers his feet bleeding from playing barefoot without the money for proper shoes – and that his dribbling ability was a natural instinct.

Antony said that he would 'elastico the drug dealers, rainbow flick the bus drivers and nutmeg the thieves' because he did not 'give a f***' with the ball at his feet.

The Paraisópolis favela is seen in this aerial photograph taken over Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The Union of Residents and Tradesmen of Paraisopolis, the second-largest favela in Brazil — There are an estimated 1,600 favelas in Sao Paulo including Inferninho and Paraisopolis (pictured) (Image: Getty Images)

Having learned tricks from watching Ronaldinho, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo on YouTube, he was spotted by the football director of Gremio Barueri, after which he told his mum he would one day buy a Range Rover.

Having slept every night between his parents because they couldn't afford another bed they separated when he was 11 which gave him even more determination to succeed.

Antony said his only dream was to move his family out of the favela – and that he was willing to make it or die trying.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA - OCTOBER 07: Antony of Brazil celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during a match between Venezuela and Brazil as part of South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 at Estadio Olímpico on October 07, 2021 in Caracas, Venezuela. ( — Antony of Brazil is heading to his first World Cup at Qatar 2022 (Image: Getty Images)

Having getting his chance with Sao Paulo, Antony joined Ajax in 2020 where he picked up two Eredivisie titles before his Premier League stitch.

Since his £82million move, Antony managed three league goals but missed the last three games through injury before being named in Brazil's World Cup squad.

Tite's side are in Group G alongside Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon, kicking off their tournament on Thursday (November 24).