West Ham striker Michail Antonio said he is ‘grateful to be alive’ in his first message since being discharged from hospital three weeks after his car crash. Antonio had to be airlifted to a hospital after he was involved in an accident while driving in his Ferrari in Theydon Bois, Essex on December 7.
Image Credit: Metro [West Ham United players wear the shirt of team-mate Michail Antonio before the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. West Ham forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower-limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday. Picture date: Monday December 9, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER West Ham. Photo credit should read: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.]
It took almost an hour for emergency services to free Antonio from his car after he collided with a tree driving home from the club’s Rush Green training ground ahead of their Premier League match against Wolves. The 34-year-old underwent surgery that same day and after spending Christmas in hospital, the Jamaican international has now returned home.
Image Credit: Metro [West Ham United has confirmed that forward Michail Antonio was involved in a car crash earlier today. In a statement, the club expressed their support for the player, saying, ???Our thoughts and prayers are with Michail Antonio, his friends, and his family at this time.??? The extent of Antonio???s injuries, if any, has not yet been disclosed. The club has assured fans that further updates will be provided ???in due course.??? Key Player for West Ham Michail Antonio has been a pivotal figure for the Hammers, known for his dynamic performances on the pitch. News of the crash has sparked concern among fans, who have taken to social media to wish him a speedy recovery. Investigation and Updates Details of the incident remain limited at this stage. Authorities are likely to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash as the situation unfolds. Supporters and the football community await further information on Antonio???s condition and any potential implications for his career. West Ham United is expected to release additional details as they become available.]
Now, speaking out for the first time since the accident, Antonio paid tribute to the emergency services who helped him and vowed to make a comeback to football. ‘Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words. But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive,’ Antonio said in a post on Instagram and West Ham’s website.
‘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. ‘I’ve seen close friends pass away, witnessed others face near-death experiences, and even then, I didn’t fully grasp just how precious life is.
![[West Ham United has confirmed that forward Michail Antonio was involved in a car crash earlier today. In a statement, the club expressed their support for the player, saying, ???Our thoughts and prayers are with Michail Antonio, his friends, and his family at this time.??? The extent of Antonio???s injuries, if any, has not yet been disclosed. The club has assured fans that further updates will be provided ???in due course.??? Key Player for West Ham Michail Antonio has been a pivotal figure for the Hammers, known for his dynamic performances on the pitch. News of the crash has sparked concern among fans, who have taken to social media to wish him a speedy recovery. Investigation and Updates Details of the incident remain limited at this stage. Authorities are likely to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash as the situation unfolds. Supporters and the football community await further information on Antonio???s condition and any potential implications for his career. West Ham United is expected to release additional details as they become available.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_232332456-00c4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
