Three months after car accident
England professional Antonio: “I almost died”
17.03.2025 – 3:38 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
In a car accident in December, West Ham striker Antonio was seriously injured. Now he speaks in detail about the crash for the first time. And he cleans up with a rumor.
A good three months after his serious car accident, football professional Mikhail Antonio spoke about the dramatic events for the first time. The striker of West Ham United reported in an interview with the BBC how close he escaped death.
“I almost died,” said the 34-year-old. At the beginning of December, the Jamaican international hit a tree with his Ferrari and had broken his thigh in four places, among other things.
Antonio had to spend more than three weeks in the hospital and is now working on his comeback. He was optimistic to be able to play again, he said. In rehab he is making good progress and lies in front of the target schedule. However, he did not call a precise time for his return. “I am in good condition, also mentally,” said the attacker.
Antonio decidedly rejected rumors that he could have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “I never took drugs in my life,” he emphasized. And on the day of the accident, he also did not consume alcohol.
Originally he wanted to take another car for training. However, since he was “too lazy” to clear some bags from the vehicle – which his wife had asked for – he decided instead for the sports car. In the middle of a storm, he lost control and crashed into a tree. The West Ham-professional reported that he has no memories of the rescue measures and other events on this day.
About three weeks ago Antonio looked at the wreck of his car for the first time. “I had a strange feeling in my stomach. I realized how close I was to death,” said West Ham’s record goal scorer in the Premier League. “I had seen the pictures, but in reality it was ten times worse. The car was absolutely scrap. It was difficult for me.”
Antonio, who is a six -time father, also reported that he has been more emotional since the accident than before – which, however, feels positive for him. Although he was always a fan of fast cars, after his second accident, he wanted to do without such vehicles with a sports car. “I can’t deny it: sports cars are not my friends,” he said.