MICHAIL ANTONIO made an emotional return to football just six months after a horror Ferrari crash that nearly killed him.
The West Ham striker, 35, came off the bench for Jamaica in the 85th minute for the side’s 1-0 Gold Cup loss to Guatemala in California.
ReutersMichail Antonio has completed a miracle recovery to get back on the pitch[/caption]
STEVE BELLThe West Ham star was left fighting for his life after crashing his Ferrari last December[/caption]
It was his first appearance since breaking his leg after smashing his £260,000 Ferrari into a tree last December.
The veteran forward had been out of action since the December wreck, which left him with a serious lower leg fracture and lucky to be alive.
He was airlifted to hospital and rushed into surgery and spent the rest of the season fighting to get back on his feet.
Released from hospital before the New Year, Antonio threw himself into rehab, including a warm-weather training stint in Dubai in February.
West Ham insiders later revealed he had been “kicking balls again” with the squad by season’s end.
Two weeks ago he released an inspiring video on social media charting his battle from hardly being able to walk to getting back into full training.
The video started with footage of the wreckage with a voice asking, ‘How the f**k did you get out of that’ before showing clips of him going through pain in the gym as he rebuilt strength in his lower limb to running and eventually kicking balls.
He made an emotional return to the London Stadium for West Ham’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in March.
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Although he didn’t feature again for the Hammers before the campaign closed, Jamaica boss Steve McLaren still named him in the Gold Cup squad.
While Antonio couldn’t prevent a group-stage defeat, his late cameo marked a major milestone in a recovery many thought might never happen.
His return has now become the feel-good story of the tournament.
Antonio, who missed recent World Cup qualifiers, will be eyeing more minutes in group matches against Guadeloupe and Panama.
But it’s not just pride on the line, his future is up in the air.
The club’s all-time top Premier League goalscorer is out of contract at the end of June and recently turned down a short-term extension on lower wages.
He’s said to be earning around £90,000 a week but is now weighing up his next move.
A Hammers insider told SunSport: “Michail has been working hard on his recovery and to have returned to action for his country in six months is almost miraculous.
“That shows the sort of person he is. He has given the club great service and we’ll of course review with him his situation when he returns back home. It’s an ongoing process.”
West Ham confirmed earlier this month that Antonio will be listed as a free transfer but stressed they remain fully behind him during his comeback.
InstagramThe striker is out of contract this summer[/caption]
InstagramAntonio has been slowly working his way back to fitness for months now[/caption]
PAHe’s West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer with 68[/caption]
The Jamaica international had to be airlifted from the accident scene to save his life
REUTERSAntonio’s contract is up this summer but he’ll hope he can agree a new deal[/caption]
The statement read: “Given Michail Antonio’s unique situation following his serious road traffic accident.
“There will be no formal decision on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate.
“As a long-serving, highly-respected player and a much-loved member of the West Ham family.
“The club’s absolute priority is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level.”
Antonio joined the Hammers in 2015 in a £7million move from Nottingham Forest.
He has scored 68 goals in 250 games for the club.
Michail Antonio’s incredible rise
By Jon Boon
The outpouring of love from the football community for Michael Antonio has been massive, with the striker recognised as a big character in the game.
The Wandsworth-born forward started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league Tooting & Mitcham United.
After impressing in 2008, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.
However, he later revealed he got kicked out by Tooting, after he refused to sign a contract.
Antonio said: “They kicked me out because I refused to sign a contract.
“I was like: ‘If someone comes in for me I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go and not you out price me’.”
Following spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, in 2015 he was plucked from the Championship in a £7million deal by West Ham.
He’s been there ever since, winning a player of the year award, twice being named Premier League player of the month and lifting a European trophy.
Away from football, Antonio has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles in recent times.
The Jamaica international was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.
He revealed: “I want to go into entertainment.
“So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle…”
Read more about Michail Antonio’s incredible rise and life away from the game.
InstagramMichail Antonio posted an inspirational video of his rehab efforts[/caption]
InstagramThe West Ham striker suffered injuries following a horror collision in December[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
