Michail Antonio reveals extent of injuries after horror car crash | OneFootball

West Ham forward Michail Antonio is confident he will return to football despite shattering his ‘femur bone in four different places’.

Antonio was involved in a road-traffic accident in early December, as the 34-year-old’s car collided with a tree. He was hospitalised for three weeks as a result of the crash and faces a long road to a potential return to the pitch.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Antonio said he is determined to return to the sport despite the injuries sustained in a crash that almost cost him his life.

“The back of the car kept swinging out on me, so I didn’t feel safe,” he said. “I had had it for three weeks and I was already thinking about giving it back.

“It’s weird, because the whole way through this, I have been told that I was awake and was speaking to everybody – the police, the people, and the person who found me.

“My leg was completely shattered and they got me out and put a splint on it by the side of the car.

“Everyone believed I got an air ambulance out, but the helicopter couldn’t get off the ground because of the storm, so I was driven to the hospital.”

Recently, Antonio went to a scrapyard to see the remains of the wreckage. He admits it was a difficult moment.

“It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. It just made me realise how close I was to dying. I had seen the pictures but it was 10 times worse in person. The car was an absolute mess. It was difficult for me.

“I shattered my femur bone in four different places. I had one single keyhole surgery. They put a pole in my thigh with four bolts, so screws and bolts to knit it back together.

“My first surgeon said he didn’t want me to put any weight on my leg for three months, which is around about now, and you can see that I am walking.

“We got a second specialist who said I needed to start putting weight on it, increasing from 10% up to 100% within three weeks.

“But I kept my crutches for a further two weeks. Overall, they say it will be between six to 12 months before my leg starts healing properly.”

Antonio’s contract at West Ham expires in the summer and he will turn 35 next month, leaving him with an uncertain future. However, the Jamaica international is adamant that he will resume his career.

“Yes, 100%. I will play again.

“That’s what I am focused on and why I am working six days a week. I’ve always been positive from this situation. It’s a horrendous accident, and it’s a massive injury.

“It’s the biggest injury I’ve ever had in my career. But the fact that I’m already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I’ll play again, and I know that once I’m playing the game I’ll get the sharpness back.

“I was one of the quickest at West Ham. So my body wasn’t the body of a 34-year-old before I had the accident anyway. I can still be sharp and still do the business.

“People have always doubted me. My mental strength is something that I’ve always believed in and this is just another setback, and it is not going to stop me.”

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