“Grateful to be alive”
Seriously injured in car accident: football star speaks out
January 2, 2025 – 7:30 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
A serious car accident changed Michail Antonio’s life. The future of his football career is uncertain. But the striker is grateful to be alive.
More than three weeks after his serious car accident, West Ham’s Michail Antonio has spoken publicly for the first time. In an emotional Instagram post, the 34-year-old spoke about his gratitude for surviving the accident. “Every year at this time I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I have a hard time finding the right words. But this year I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive,” he wrote Jamaican international under a photo showing him on crutches with a smile.
Antonio had an accident with his Ferrari in Epping (County Essex) on December 7th. He suffered a broken lower leg in the accident and had to be rescued from the badly damaged vehicle before being taken to hospital in London. The striker underwent surgery there and was released a few weeks later. Now the road to recovery begins for him.
Antonio said the experience changed his life. For many years he believed that life was a given and made plans “always assuming that tomorrow is guaranteed.” Although he had experienced losses in those around him, it was only now that he truly became aware of the fragility of life. The past few weeks have opened his eyes, the Jamaican wrote. “Life is fragile and every single moment is important. I am grateful to God for my strength and that I can still be here.”
The national player expressly thanked the rescue workers, the medical staff, his club and the fans: “Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me. That really means the world to me.”