LONDON — West Ham’s forward, Michail Antonio, is optimistic about returning to the pitch following a serious car accident that resulted in a severely fractured leg and a sobering awareness of his brush with death.
Antonio was driving his Ferrari when he collided with a tree near London during inclement weather conditions on December 7.
In a conversation with the BBC, the player from Jamaica revealed that he suffered a four-part fracture to his femur, necessitating a surgical procedure where a rod was inserted into his thigh, secured with four bolts.
As he approaches his 35th birthday, Antonio recently visited a scrapyard to view the remnants of his wrecked vehicle. Reflecting on the experience, he remarked, “It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. It just made me realize how close I was to dying.”
Medical professionals have indicated that his rehabilitation period is expected to last between six to twelve months for full recovery of his leg. Despite this prognosis, Antonio feels he is progressing faster than anticipated, believing he is “already two-to-three months ahead of where I should be.”
He expressed confidence about his future in football: “Yes, 100%. I will play again.”
Antonio, who is a father to six children, shared the emotional impact of the ordeal, stating, “The most difficult part is that I almost wasn’t there for my children. It’s just made me happy, positive about life, because I’ve got another chance at life.”
Since joining West Ham from Nottingham Forest in 2015, Antonio has played in over 300 matches for the team, including all 14 games of the current season prior to his accident.
