Michail Antonio has revealed the internal struggle he faced before joining Qatari club Al Sailiya, admitting his ego was bruised after West Ham opted not to extend his contract. The 35-year-old, who spent a decade at the London Stadium, said he felt overlooked despite his long service and goal-scoring record.
Making his debut for Al Sailiya last week, Antonio experienced a terrifying introduction to life in the Middle East as military conflicts escalated. On the day of the match, he heard bombs and saw flames from his hotel window, with the building shaking from the blasts. ‘That was frightening,’ he told talkSPORT, adding that he still feels safe in Qatar overall.
The striker, who remains West Ham's all-time leading Premier League scorer with 68 goals, suffered a serious car crash in December 2024. After recovering, he trained with Leicester City and Brentford in hopes of securing a deal in England, but neither club offered him a contract.
Antonio admitted his disappointment at West Ham's decision not to give him a chance to prove his fitness. ‘I felt I deserved an opportunity after everything I gave the club,’ he said. His move to Al Sailiya marks a new chapter, but he acknowledged the challenge of rebuilding his career in a new country amid regional instability.
