Michail Antonio has revealed he almost died when he crashed his Ferrari in December, but the West Ham striker is adamant he will recover from a badly broken leg to play again. Antonio, who spoke on BBC One’s Morning Live on Monday, feels he has been given “another chance at life” as he continues his recovery.
West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer can remember nothing from the accident, which occurred when he was driving home from training and crashed into a tree in Epping Forest during Storm Darragh. The seriousness hit home when he saw the remains of the car at a scrapyard three weeks ago. “It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach,” he said. “It just made me realise how close I was to dying.”
Antonio shattered his femur bone in four places and had keyhole surgery to insert a pole with bolts. He was initially told not to put weight on his leg for three months, but a second specialist advised early weight-bearing. He now walks without crutches and expects full healing in six to 12 months.
Despite being out for the rest of the season, Antonio is determined to return. “One hundred per cent I will play again,” he said. He admitted being shaken when his physio asked about career-ending insurance, but he remains positive, working six days a week and already ahead of schedule in his recovery.
The 34-year-old also found it tough when West Ham replaced Julen Lopetegui with Graham Potter in January, as his contract ends this season. “It was one of the hardest things,” he said. “The only thing I can focus on is me and making sure I am right.”
