Michail Antonio says he is grateful to be alive as the West Ham star releases first statement since the car accident that left him fearing for his life - and he vows to return to the pitch 'soon'
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West Ham United striker Michail Antonio posted an emotional statement on New Year's Eve shortly after being released from hospital. The 34-year-old had been in hospital for 24 days following a horrific car accident that left him fearing for his life. On December 7, Antonio had to be extracted from his £260,000 Ferrari after careering off the road near Theydon Bois in Essex.
![[Antonio needed surgery on a broken leg after his Ferrari collided with a tree on December 7]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/20/92964455-0-Antonio_underwent_surgery_on_a_broken_leg_after_his_260_000_Ferr-a-1_1735676954223.jpg)
The crash, which occurred in Epping Forest, saw him end up in his passenger seat and he was trapped for more than 45 minutes while fire crews attempted to free him. Antonio had been driving home from West Ham's Rush Green training ground ahead of their Premier League match against Wolves when he collided with a tree.
He required surgery and still has a broken leg, but Antonio sounded very positive when he said in a statement posted via Instagram that he was 'grateful' to be alive. The statement was accompanied by a photo of Antonio smiling while holding a pair of crutches.
Michail Antonio, pictured on crutches on New Year's Eve, has said he is grateful to be alive. Antonio needed surgery on a broken leg after his Ferrari collided with a tree on December 7. 'Every year around this time, I'm asked what I'm grateful for, and every year I've struggled to find the right words,' the statement began.
'But this year, I know exactly what I'm grateful for: being alive. 'I want to take a moment to acknowledge something I've come to realise—I've spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.
