Michail Antonio: “Grateful to Be Alive” After Car Accident

Michail Antonio the West Ham striker has expressed gratitude for being alive after surviving a car accident that broke his leg. The 34-year-old Jamaica international spent over three weeks in the hospital following the 7 December crash in Epping, Essex, where responders freed him from his car. Antonio underwent surgery on a lower limb fracture and left the hospital on Tuesday.

Reflecting on the experience, Antonio shared an emotional message on Instagram, along with a photo of himself standing with crutches. “Every year I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and I’ve often struggled to answer. This year, I’m grateful to be alive,” he wrote. Antonio admitted he had taken life for granted in the past and said the accident made him realize its fragility.

“I’m so grateful to God for giving me strength and keeping me here,” he added. Antonio, West Ham’s all-time Premier League top scorer with 68 goals in 268 appearances, assured fans he would return to the pitch soon. He also thanked the emergency and medical teams who helped him and praised the football community for their unwavering support. “Your love and support mean the world to me,” Michail Antonio said.

West Ham players showed solidarity during their 2-1 win over Wolves on 9 December by wearing shirts with ‘Antonio 9’ before the match. The club later auctioned the shirts, raising nearly £60,000 for NHS and Air Ambulances UK charities. The club publicly expressed gratitude to the emergency responders and medical teams who assisted Antonio. Antonio’s story reminds us all of life’s unpredictability. His resilience continues to inspire fans and teammates alike.