Former West Ham striker Michail Antonio has revealed the terrifying experience of hearing bombs and seeing flames on the day of his debut in Qatar, as military action intensifies across the Middle East. The ex-Hammer, who recently signed with Al Sailiya, described the incident as "frightening" but maintains he feels safe in his new footballing home.
Conflict Coincides with Career Move
Antonio's transfer to Qatar came just as conflict erupted in the region, with Iran launching airstrikes in response to attacks from America and Israel. Officials in Doha have reported that some of these strikes targeted civilian infrastructure, leading to explosions, building shakes, and widespread panic that Antonio witnessed firsthand.
A Harrowing Debut Experience
In an interview with talkSPORT, Antonio recounted the events of his debut day. "The day I was meant to make my debut, that was a frightening day, hearing bombs and the hotel was shaking, that was terrifying," he said. "I looked out the window and saw flames from the bombs flying, that was the only day that was scary for me." Despite this, he emphasized that overall, he does not feel threatened, noting, "Since I've been here, you do hear loud bangs and stuff, but you never really get to see anything. So, I've not had the experience of anything crazy going on here, that's the reason I do feel quite safe here."
Recovery and Return to Football
Antonio's move to Qatar follows his recovery from a near-fatal car crash in December 2024, which nearly ended his life. After leaving West Ham, where he spent a decade and scored 68 goals, making him the club's top Premier League-era scorer, he trained with clubs like Leicester and Brentford in an attempt to secure a deal in English football. However, no offer materialized, leading him to Al Sailiya, where his debut ended in a 4-0 defeat to Al Duhail last week.
Disappointment Over West Ham Exit
Reflecting on his departure from West Ham, Antonio expressed deep disappointment. "I was very disappointed," he admitted. "To be honest, I felt like, being at the club for ten years, being one of their main players for ten years, playing up until the day I crashed the car, I started most games until that day, I would have thought they'd have given me an opportunity to try and prove myself after and offer me a contract." Instead, the club chose to part ways, forcing the mid-30s striker to seek opportunities abroad.
As Antonio continues his career in Qatar, he remains focused on football despite the surrounding conflict, highlighting his resilience and determination to play at a professional level once more.
