West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has opened up about the moment he thought he had ended Mo Barrow's career with a reckless challenge back in 2017.
The incident occurred during a Premier League clash between West Ham and Swansea City, when Antonio's late tackle left Barrow writhing in pain on the pitch.
'I genuinely thought I'd ruined his career,' Antonio admitted in a candid interview. 'It was one of those tackles where, as soon as I made it, I knew I'd messed up.'
The Jamaican international revealed that he immediately apologised to Barrow after the game, fearing the worst for the Gambian winger. Fortunately, Barrow recovered and went on to continue playing, but the moment has stayed with Antonio ever since.
A Tackle That Haunts Antonio
Antonio described the tackle as one of the lowest points in his career, admitting he was 'filled with guilt' after seeing Barrow's reaction. The Swansea player was forced off the pitch and later underwent scans to assess the damage.
'I’ve made some bad challenges in my time, but that one was different,' Antonio confessed. 'I saw his face, and I knew I’d really hurt him. It wasn’t intentional, but that doesn’t make it any better.'
Barrow's Forgiveness
Thankfully, Barrow didn’t hold a grudge. The two players spoke after the match, and Barrow assured Antonio that he would be fine. 'He was class about it,' Antonio recalled. 'He could’ve been angry, but he just accepted my apology and moved on.'
Barrow, now playing abroad, has since put the incident behind him, but Antonio admits he still thinks about it from time to time. 'It’s a reminder that football isn’t just about winning—it’s about respect for your fellow professionals.'
Lessons Learned
The West Ham forward says the experience changed his approach to tackling. 'I’m more careful now,' he said. 'You never want to be the reason someone can’t do their job.'
While Antonio has had his fair share of on-field battles, this moment remains one of his biggest regrets. 'I’m just glad Mo recovered and is still playing. That’s all that matters.'
