West Ham United forward Michail Antonio says he felt “slightly embarrassed” to be seen having “almost died” in a car crash in December.
The 34-year-old had surgery on a lower limb fracture following the incident, where his Ferrari was involved in a single-vehicle collision having struck a tree in Epping Forest. He spent three weeks at a central London hospital and is continuing his rehabilitation at West Ham’s training ground in Rush Green.
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Antonio received a warm reception when he returned to the London Stadium before the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United on March 10. But it was something he was initially reluctant to do.
“I was avoiding going back because I was slightly embarrassed by the crash,” he told BBC Morning Live in an interview that aired. “I didn’t want to be seen. I almost died and it made me embarrassed that it was that bad. I went to see the car three weeks ago and it gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. It was difficult to see. Since the car crash, I’ve been more emotional than at any other point in my life.
“People are always going to make speculations and think negative things. In this situation, there was no drugs, no drinks, that’s been ruled out and confirmed by police. It’s crazy because I don’t remember much at all (about the incident). I remember driving and it was windy, wet and a horrific day. I had the car for three weeks and I was thinking about giving it back because the back of the car kept swinging out on me. I didn’t really feel safe in the car. All I know is I hit a tree but I don’t know I hit it.
“The police came and found me in between the two seats. They said it looked like I was trying to climb out of the window but because my leg was badly broken, the pain probably stopped me from being able to get out. Everyone thinks I got airlifted out but because of the storm, the helicopter couldn’t get off the ground so they drove to the hospital.”
Antonio last featured in the 3-1 away victory against Leicester City on December 3. He is West Ham’s all-time Premier League goalscorer and is entering the final months of his deal. It remains undecided if he will receive a contract extension. But the Jamaica international is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken leg and is confident he will play again.
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“I’m in a good place and a good three months ahead of where I should be,” Antonio added. “I’ve lifted 130kg on the leg, I’m trying to do other things and just focus on myself. Mentally, I’m in a good place. I shattered my femur bone in four different places so they’ve had to put the bone back together and they say it will take between six to 12 months before it starts to heal.
“I’m 100 per cent (certain) I’ll be back on the pitch. This is why I’m in six days a week. I never give up, I always push myself and this is just another setback. This isn’t going to stop me.”
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
