West Ham Striker Promises To Return To Play After Car Accident

Michail Antonio wants to return to playing football after a serious accident (Instagram/@micilantonio).

JAKARTA - West Ham United striker Michail Antonio insisted he would play professional football again after recovering from a nearly fatal traffic accident in December 2024.

Antonio, 34, said he nearly died when his car hit a tree in Epping, Essex, on December 7, 2024, which caused his leg to be completely destroyed.

However, he said he intends to return to the football field, even hinting that he recovered a few months ahead of schedule.

"Yes, 100 percent. I will play again," Antonio told the BBC in an interview published on Monday, March 17, 2025, when asked if he could return to his previous level despite admitting he was forced to face the end of his career.

"That's my focus and why I work six days a week. I've always been positive in this situation. It's a terrible accident and it's a very serious injury."

"It's the biggest injury I've ever experienced in my career. However, the fact that I've recovered two to three months from what I should, I know I'm going to play again. I know that once I get back to play, I'll be sharp again."

"I was one of the fastest in West Ham. So, my body was not like the body of a 34-year-old before I had an accident. I was still able to stay sharp and keep in action."

"People always doubt me. My mental strength is something I've always believed in and this is just another setback. It won't stop me," he said again.

Antonio has been an important part of the West Ham squad this season despite many new players being recruited in the summer. He performed 15 times below Julen Lopetegui.

The accident occurred before current manager Graham Potter took over in January 2025.

The Jamaican forward also explained his serious injury.

"My thigh cracked in four different places. I underwent a keyhole operation."

"They put poles on my thigh with four bolts. So, screws and bolts to reunite."

"My first surgeon said he didn't want me to burden my leg for three months. However, you can see that I can walk."

"We brought in a second specialist who said I needed to start weighing on my legs, up from 10 percent to 100 percent within three weeks."

"However, I continued to use krump for the next two weeks. Overall, they said it took between six and 12 months before my legs began to recover well," Antonio said.