‘This is not going to stop me’ – Michail Antonio issues defiant comeback statement after escaping death in horror crash

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‘This is not going to stop me’ – Michail Antonio issues defiant comeback statement after escaping death in horror crash

MICHAIL ANTONIO said the broken leg he suffered in a December car accident is not going to stop him from returning to professional football.

The 34-year-old striker crashed his Ferrari in a single-vehicle crash in Epping last December.

COLLECT PIC OF WEST HAM FOOTBALLER MICHAIL ANTONIO TRAPPED IN HIS FERRARI SPORTS CAR FOLLOWING A CRASH IN EPPING FOREST,ESSEX TODAY-07/12/24
Antonio said he was grateful to be alive following the accident
Steve Bell for The Sun
Michail Antonio on the mend
Michail Antonio is on the mend
Instagram
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Michail Antonio of West Ham United applauds to the fans prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Newcastle United FC at London Stadium on March 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Antonio visited the London Stadium to thank the Hammers for their support
Getty

He underwent surgery shortly after, later writing on Instagram that he was grateful to be alive.

Set to turn 35 years old in late March, many expedcted Antonio to hang up his boots following the injury, but he has set his sights on a swift return to play.

He is working six days per week to get back to full fitness and is refusing to give up on his playing career.

Speaking to BBC Morning Live he said: “I’m 100 per cent I will be back on the pitch.

“This is what I focus on, this is why I’m in six days a week.”

With just three months having passed since the accident, Antonio has already returned to solo training, getting back to running.

But Graham Potter has not shed any light on when he may return to play.

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Antonio, though, is nonplussed, keeping his head down as he focuses on his recovery, saying this week the player was taking “baby steps.”

He continued: “Mentally, I believe [in myself] too because I never give up.

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“I’m always focused, I’m always pushing myself.

“This is just another setback and this is not going to stop me.”

Jamaica manager Steve McClaren said Antonio is targeting a summer return.

He said: “The impact [of the crash] was horrendous.

“He is confident he will come back and is aiming for the summer period.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - NOVEMBER 14: Jamaica head coach Steve McLaren shakes hands with United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino prior to the start of the match at National Stadium on November 14, 2024 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Steve McClaren was appointed Jamaica manager in July 2024

“He is a true character off the field, always bubbly and great for the squad. We miss that.

“He says the one thing he has got is motivation. When warriors have motivation, they tend to achieve their goal.”

Antonio has scored just once in 14 appearances this season, most recently appearing in West Ham‘s 3-1 loss at Leicester City in December, just four days before the accident.

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He has scored five times in 21 appearances for Jamaica.

He is the Hammers’ top Premier League goalscorer (68) of all time.

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