Michail Antonio 'grateful to be alive' as West Ham star vows to make comeback after car crash

Evening Standard

·31 December 2024

Michail Antonio 'grateful to be alive' as West Ham star vows to make comeback after car crash

Antonio has been discharged from hospital more than three weeks after sustaining a broken leg in a car accident

Michail Antonio has said he is “grateful to be alive” and vowed to make a comeback to football, in his first message since his car crash.

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The 34-year-old West Ham forward has been discharged from hospital more than three weeks after sustaining a broken leg when he crashed his Ferrari in Epping, Essex on December 7.

In a message on the West Ham website, Antonio said: “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.

“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.

“What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every single moment matters. I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.

“To the emergency services, the NHS, The Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell Hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC. The medical team, The board, all of the staff, my team-mates and the amazing West Ham fans… I honestly could not have got through this without you. thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my loved ones who stood by my side throughout everything, I can’t express how much you mean to me.

“Lastly, to the whole football community, thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. It has truly meant the world. I love you all and I am endlessly grateful for every one of you.

“Happy New Year – and I’ll be back on that pitch soon.”

Antonio is West Ham's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League, with 68 goals in 268 league appearances.