Manchester United winger Antony has had little game time in the World Cup so far, with only brief cameos off the bench in both of Brazil's opening two games.
With the wealth of attacking talent at Brazil's disposal, it was always going to be tricky for the former Ajax player to work his way into the starting XI - and a mid-World Cup illness will have done nothing to help his case.
Antony missed two of Brazil's training sessions in Qatar due to illness - and, in an interview with ESPN Brazil, revealed that he believed the cause to be the air conditioning in the stadiums at the World Cup.
2022 World Cup: Antony says stadiums causing player illnesses
The extreme heat in Qatar has necessitated not only the tournament's move to the northern hemipshere winter months, but also the installation of air conditioning systems in the stadiums.
Despite the tournament taking place during November and December, the climate in Qatar means temperatures are regularly in the realm of 30 degrees celsius and, to ensure player and fan welfare, air conditioning is present both pitchside and in the seating of all of the (outdoor) stadiums.
Manchester United star Antony has now claimed that the pitchside air conditioning nozzles have been causing health issues for players.
Speaking after Brazil qualified for the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Switzerland, Antony was asked about his struggles with illness so far in the tournament. He said:
It was a bit difficult. I ended up having a bad feeling there for a few days that complicated me a bit.
I’m recovering well and getting 100 per cent. It was more of a sickness, throat. It was the air conditioning (in the stadiums).
Not only me, but other players also had a cough and a bad throat. It’s very difficult for me to get sick, but I’m happy to be an important part of the team.
Whenever you need Antony, I’m available.
Antony's claim that players are becoming ill due to the conditions in the stadiums is quite a severe one, and the latest blot on Qatar's copybook as hosts of the World Cup if it is true.
The 22-year-old has played less than half an hour across Brazil's first two games, as he contends with the attacking depth for the Selecao to replace the injured Neymar. He will have to battle with the in form Richarlison and Vinicius Jr, as well as the likes of Gabriels Jesus and Martinelli, and Barcelona's Raphinha.
🇧🇷 1-0 🇨🇭
GOAL BRAZIL!
Casemiro with a moment of brilliance finally breaks down a resolute Switzerland team.
📺 Watch live now on @rte2 & @rteplayer: https://t.co/JYf06csIye
📱 Live updates: https://t.co/kfml3UqoPS#FIFAWorldCup #BRASUI #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/xpSeeWkuQ0— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 28, 2022
Antony's United teammate Casemiro scored the only goal of the game in Monday evening's win over the Swiss, and Brazil will seal first place in the group if they avoid defeat against Cameroon on Friday.
They will hope not to lose any players to illness between now and then.
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