Michail Antonio has shared that he had to “swallow his ego” after surviving a serious car accident as he readies himself for his first club appearance in 15 months.
The 35-year-old striker, now signed with Qatari club Al-Sailiya, revealed that the owners of English clubs were hesitant to sign him following his accident in December 2024, which caused multiple fractures in his leg.
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Antonio made his return to competitive football with the Jamaica national team, where he played three substitute matches in June, marking his only participation since the crash.
He expressed to BBC Sport that he feels “like a schoolboy again” as he aims to demonstrate his fitness during his time in the Qatar Stars League.
Despite his affection for West Ham, where he became the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer with 68 goals across 323 appearances, he expressed disappointment at not being given the chance to make a final substitute appearance in a friendly match.
He described his departure in August as “a difficult pill to swallow,” emphasizing that he sensed he was not wanted by then-manager Graham Potter.
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“I still possess the qualities I had during my past 10 years in the Premier League,” Antonio stated. “Every manager wanted to offer me a contract once I trained with them.
“However, some clubs were reluctant to consider me due to my accident and injury. Even if a manager wanted me, the owner’s financial decisions ultimately influenced their choice.
“My agent consistently reached out to clubs, but they all wanted me to train first. I initially resisted, thinking my previous performance for Jamaica should suffice for a contract. Clubs insisted that if I didn’t train, I wouldn’t be signed.”
“After spending additional time at West Ham, training with the under-21s, and joining Jamaica for their fixtures, my agent advised me to prove my fitness through training.”
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“I had to set aside my ego, which is how I ended up at Brentford. I trained with them for two weeks.”
The Road to Recovery
Michail Antonio has been working as a pundit while training with various clubs and awaiting his next opportunity [Getty Images]
Antonio severely fractured his femur in four places after his Ferrari lost control and crashed into a tree during Storm Darragh in Epping Forest.
Although West Ham supported him throughout the rehabilitation process, he says he doesn’t remember the crash; instead, he reflects on how his “family bore the burden of it more”.
He shared how he had to relearn basic movements like walking, running, and jumping, noting, “The most challenging part wasn’t the recovery itself; it was dealing with the setbacks.”
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The forward explored transfer possibilities with Brentford and Leicester City, but nothing was finalized.
He shared, “When I realized I had torn my calf right before signing with Brentford, I spent two days in bed. The first day was full of tears, and the second I felt too defeated to get out of bed. I thought I was finally where I wanted to be—back in the Premier League—and then it all fell apart again with Leicester.”
“I was meant to return to Leicester, but they decided against letting me back due to fears of a potential relapse. After a week of training alone, I eventually joined Charlton.”
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Antonio had initial discussions with the Championship club about a pay-as-you-play deal before opting to move to Qatar instead.
Throughout his career, Antonio has exhibited mental resilience, having faced rejections from clubs like Brentford and Queens Park Rangers during his teenage years, rising from non-league football with Tooting and Mitcham to the Premier League.
“I only began therapy during a tough period in my life, going through a divorce,” he stated. “It opened my eyes to how many experiences we have in life that we don’t fully embrace. I was numb during the Leicester situation, but being numb isn’t coping.
“It’s only through discussing your feelings with someone who doesn’t just offer opinions but helps you understand your circumstances that you can realize the significance of these moments.”
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A Move to Qatar: Beyond Financial Incentives
Antonio revealed that his move to Qatar only materialized recently, initiated by a call from Jamaica team-mate Mason Holgate, who plays for Al-Sailiya.
Holgate was tasked with finding someone available on a free transfer after their first-choice striker was injured, and Antonio came to his mind.
Although he was close to finalizing a deal with Charlton, he was quickly convinced to relocate to Qatar.
His two-month contract allows him to evaluate his future in the summer, especially with Jamaica still in contention for World Cup qualification through March’s playoffs. For the moment, he emphasizes that his focus is elsewhere.
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“Whatever happens in the summer, will happen,” he remarked. “My priority is simply to focus on playing and maintaining my fitness. If I stay fit, I will perform and score goals. I feel that playing here offers me the best chance to remain injury-free as opposed to navigating a packed schedule of fixtures.”
When questioned by BBC Sport about Qatar’s human rights record and whether it influenced his decision, he replied, “Honestly, I’m not sure what criticism people are referring to, but my experience here—especially during Ramadan—has been positive.”
“From the conversations I’ve had and my experiences so far, people seem to enjoy living here.”
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After such a long break from club football, Antonio is eager to once again experience the excitement of matchday, the feel of the grass, and the pursuit of three points.
This interview took place prior to the outbreak of conflict related to the US-Israel war with Iran, which has resulted in missile attacks across Qatar and the broader Middle East.