Most footballers dream of glory on the pitch. But for Michail Antonio, just being able to walk again—let alone train—felt like a miracle just a few months ago.
After a terrifying car crash last December, the West Ham striker has slowly and painfully worked his way back toward fitness.
And now, for the first time, he’s giving fans a raw look at what that journey has really been like.
A Life-Changing Crash That Shook Everything
Back in December, Antonio’s world flipped upside down.
While driving home through Epping Forest, he crashed his £260,000 Ferrari into a tree.
It wasn’t just a fender bender—firefighters had to cut him out of the wreck, and he was airlifted to the hospital with a broken leg.
Trapped for over 45 minutes, Antonio said he genuinely feared for his life.
The 35-year-old underwent surgery the next day.
And although the situation was bleak, he wasn’t ready to give up. That’s when the slow road to recovery began.
Faith, Rehab, and First Steps
Over the weekend, Antonio shared an emotional Instagram video titled, “Faith will overcome all challenges.”
It was a glimpse into just how hard he’s had to fight.
The video showed him learning to walk again, training his injured leg, and—perhaps most touchingly—reuniting with West Ham fans in March during a heartwarming appearance at the London Stadium.
It’s the kind of recovery that doctors would call remarkable.
But for Antonio, it’s been nothing short of a mental and physical war.
Is He Staying or Going?
While Antonio’s body is on the mend, his football future is still up in the air.
His contract with West Ham expires this summer, and although the club has reportedly offered him a short-term deal, nothing’s locked in yet.
Speaking to French outlet L’Équipe in May, Antonio made it clear: he wants to stay. But he’s also realistic.
“The question is whether the club wants to extend my contract. That’s my priority, but I’m waiting.”
Until there’s clarity, all he can do is focus on recovery.
Whether he stays in London or moves elsewhere, Antonio says he’s determined to come back stronger than ever.
A Record Still in His Sights
Despite the trauma, Antonio isn’t thinking small.
He still has his eyes on the Premier League goal tally—and isn’t shy about it.
“I’d like to push the record forward so that Jarrod Bowen doesn’t catch me.”
Currently, Antonio sits at 68 goals, while his teammate Bowen is at 54.
Friendly competition? Maybe. But it shows just how hungry Antonio still is to make his mark.
West Ham’s Unwavering Support
In the months following the crash, Antonio says West Ham stood by him like family.
The club paid for a private hotel room where he could recover in comfort and privacy, while also receiving daily medical attention.
“West Ham were incredible for me from the very beginning,” he said.
“Even today, they are there for me every day.”
That kind of loyalty goes a long way—especially when you’re battling not just injury, but emotional scars.
The Mental Battle Is Just as Tough
Antonio has been candid about the emotional weight of his recovery.
Every training session is a struggle, not just physically but mentally.
“The sessions are very tough,” he admitted. “After each one, my leg is dead for a few hours!”
He explained that his brain often holds him back, constantly telling his body it can’t do it. But, in his words:
“It’s getting better every day, every week.”
Revisiting the Wreck: A Gut-Punch Reminder
In April, Antonio returned to the scrapyard to see what was left of his car.
And the experience left him shaken.
“It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach,” he told BBC One’s Morning Live.
“It just made me realise how close I was to dying.”
He recalled being found between the two seats, with no memory of how he even hit the tree.
Seeing the mangled wreck in person was far worse than the photos—and a reminder of just how lucky he is to be alive.
Still Healing, Still Hoping
Antonio says the crash has changed him emotionally.
He’s more reflective, and at times, he’s battled embarrassment over what happened. But through it all, he’s kept moving forward.
He might not know where he’ll be playing next season—but what’s clear is that Antonio has already pulled off one of the biggest comebacks of the year.
