Michail Antonio health update after breaking leg in horror car crash as Graham Potter meets with stricken West Ham star
MICHAIL ANTONIO was at West Ham’s training ground yesterday to meet new boss Graham Potter for the first time.
The Hammers striker, 34, is out for the season following his horror car crash on December 7.
Antonio has been back at the club since being discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve.
But he had previously only spoken to Potter over the phone.
Before they met up, the ex-Brighton and Chelsea chief, 49, said: “I was planning to see him today, this afternoon.
“I spoke to him on the phone, had a really good chat with him.
“He’s doing well. But it’ll be nice to see him.”
Antonio broke his leg and also suffered a number of minor injuries after crashing his Ferrari FF near Theydon Bois, Essex.
The forward was airlifted to hospital after the horror smash.
After returning home last month, Antonio thanked the emergency services and football community.
He 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’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.
“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 teammates 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.”
Michail Antonio’s incredible rise
By Jon Boon
The outpouring of love from the football community for Michael Antonio has been massive, with the striker recognised as a big character in the game.
The Wandsworth-born forward started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league Tooting & Mitcham United.
After impressing in 2008, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.
However, he later revealed he got kicked out by Tooting, after he refused to sign a contract.
Antonio said: “They kicked me out because I refused to sign a contract.
“I was like: ‘If someone comes in for me I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go and not you out price me’.”
Following spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, in 2015 he was plucked from the Championship in a £7million deal by West Ham.
He’s been there ever since, winning a player of the year award, twice being named Premier League player of the month and lifting a European trophy.
Away from football, Antonio has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles in recent times.
The Jamaica international was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.
He revealed: “I want to go into entertainment.
“So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle…”
Read more about Michail Antonio’s incredible rise and life away from the game.