•Michail Antonio
West Ham forward Michail Antonio says he came close to dying in a horrific car crash that shattered his leg but is “100 percent” confident he will play football again.
The Jamaica international required surgery after crashing his Ferrari into a tree on December 7, reports AFP.
“All I know is that I hit a tree,” he told the BBC.
“I don’t know how I hit a tree, that the police came and when they found me in the car, I was in between the two seats.”
The 34-year-old, who also had a serious car accident in 2019, said he broke his femur bone in four places but revealed his comeback is three months ahead of schedule.
“I’m a good three months ahead of where I should be,” he said. “I’ve lifted 130 kilograms on the leg and I’m trying to do other things and just focus on myself, so it’s definitely a good place right now and mentally I’m in a good place too.”
He added: “I’m 100 percent (certain) that I’ll be back on the pitch. This is what I’m focused on.”
Antonio paid tribute to West Ham for their support but explained how he had sought therapy and struggled when manager Julen Lopetegui was dismissed and replaced by Graham Potter in early January.
“If I try and rush myself back, go out there and try and show him what I can do when I’m not physically right, it puts me in a bad stead because I won’t be right and I won’t be able to do the things that I want to do,” he said.
Antonio, West Ham’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League, admitted he was embarrassed after the crash, near London.
“Obviously I’ve almost died in the car crash. It just made me slightly embarrassed that it was that bad,” he said.
“Physically I’m getting better but mentally trauma lasts a long time,” he added. “So, there is always going be periods and going to be times where something’s going to affect me.”
