It’s been over three months since Michail Antonio suffered a nearly fatal car accident. This week the striker has revealed both the difficulties he faced as well as the support he’s received in an interview with the BBC.
The Jamaican international has said he doesn’t remember any of the accident which took place on 7 December despite being told he was awake and responsive at the time emergency services found him.
The accident occurred during Storm Darragh, and when police arrived at the scene, they found Antonio’s car crashed into a tree, leaving the player located between the driver’s and passenger’s seats.
Antonio revealed he shattered his femur bone in four places as a result of the crash.
Antonio is three months ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, with running the next step of the recovery at a time when doctors thought he’d only be able to start putting weight on his leg.
The 34-year-old recently made a trip to Dubai as part of his recovery, which has included rest, physio and meditation.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Antonio already has his eyes set on a return to action, saying that he will “100%” play again:
“The fact that I’m already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I’ll play again, and I know that once I’m playing the game I’ll get the sharpness back,” he said.
The accident’s impact on Antonio’s life
“I’ve been more emotional than I’ve ever been in my life,” Antonio said.
“Since I’ve been more emotional and not being able to control it more, I think it’s made me have an easier and happier life because I get rid of that frustration, and all that build-up of stuff that I keep pushing down is actually letting itself out.”
Antonio appeared in front of the Hammers fans for the first time since the accident before West Ham’s defeat to Newcastle last Monday, a moment which was particularly moving for both the player and the supporters.
Antonio, who is West Ham’s all-time Premier League top goal scorer, revealed how much the club and supporters have helped him during his recovery.
He said: “Now I am definitely a West Ham fan. What the club did for me, the support they gave me on and off the field, the hospitals and the specialists, was unbelievable. I thank the club, the fans, the emergency services, the people around me.”
While Graham Potter hasn’t put a date on Antonio’s return to action, the positive steps the player is making in his recovery both physically and mentally is news that not only West Ham fans, but the footballing world will be delighted to hear.
